aclarar
/ah-klah-RAHR/
clarify
Aclarar means to clarify or make something easy to understand, like the fog lifting to reveal a hidden object.
aclarar(verb)
clarify
?to make something easy to understand
,explain
?to provide details or reasons
clear up
?a misunderstanding or doubt
,elucidate
?formal explanation
📝 In Action
Necesito que me aclares esta parte del contrato.
B1I need you to clarify this part of the contract for me.
Ella aclaró que la reunión sería a las 10, no a las 11.
A2She made it clear that the meeting would be at 10, not 11.
El profesor siempre se toma tiempo para aclarar nuestras dudas.
B1The teacher always takes time to clear up our doubts.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Aclarar' with 'Que'
When you use 'aclarar' to state a fact or correct a misunderstanding, you usually follow it with 'que' and the normal verb form (indicative): 'Aclaró que viene mañana.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Aclarar' and 'Aclararse'
Mistake: "No me aclaro la respuesta. (Incorrect use of reflexive.)"
Correction: No aclaro la respuesta. (Use the simple form when you are doing the action to something else.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Verbal Communication
Use 'aclarar' specifically when you are making a verbal point or providing information to resolve confusion.
When you aclarar a color, you lighten it, often by mixing in white or a lighter tone.
aclarar(verb)
lighten
?to make a color less dark
,brighten
?to make a space or the sky clearer
bleach
?hair or fabric
📝 In Action
Ella va a la peluquería para aclarar su cabello.
B1She is going to the hair salon to lighten her hair.
Después de la lluvia, el cielo empezó a aclararse.
B2After the rain, the sky began to brighten (become clearer).
Añade un poco de blanco para aclarar la pintura.
B1Add a little bit of white to lighten the paint.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive Form ('Aclararse')
When things change color or light on their own (like the sky or hair), use the reflexive form 'aclararse.' Think of it as 'the sky clarifies itself.'
Aclarar is used when you rinse something, washing away soap or residue with water.
aclarar(verb)
rinse
?to wash away soap or residue
wash out
?to remove soap from hair or clothing
📝 In Action
Aclara las verduras antes de cocinarlas.
A1Rinse the vegetables before cooking them.
No olvides aclarar la ropa dos veces para quitar todo el jabón.
A2Don't forget to rinse the clothes twice to remove all the soap.
Me aclaré el pelo en la ducha.
A2I rinsed my hair in the shower.
💡 Grammar Points
Aclarar vs. Enjuagar
'Aclarar' is often used for rinsing hair, clothes, or vegetables. 'Enjuagar' is more common for rinsing your mouth or dishes.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: aclarar
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'aclarar' is used in the phrase: 'El sol empezó a aclarar el día'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'aclarar' used more for physical things or abstract ideas?
'Aclarar' is extremely versatile. In daily conversation, it's most often used for abstract ideas (clarifying a doubt or a situation). However, it is also very common for physical actions like rinsing or lightening a color.
When should I use 'aclarar' and when should I use 'explicar'?
'Explicar' is used for providing a detailed, full explanation of how something works (e.g., 'explain gravity'). 'Aclarar' is used to resolve a specific doubt or confusion (e.g., 'clarify the time of the meeting'). They are often interchangeable, but 'aclarar' focuses more on removing ambiguity.