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aplicar

ah-plee-KAHRa.pliˈkaɾ

to apply

Also: to put on, to use/employ
VerbA2regular with spelling change ar
A hand using a brush to spread blue paint onto a white wooden surface.
gerundaplicando
infinitiveaplicar
past Participleaplicado

📝 In Action

Tienes que aplicar la crema dos veces al día.

A2

You have to apply the cream twice a day.

Aplica un poco de fuerza para abrir la puerta.

B1

Apply a little force to open the door.

Debemos aplicar este método en nuestro trabajo.

B1

We must apply this method to our work.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • aplicar una crema – to apply a cream
  • aplicar presión – to apply pressure

to enforce/implement

Also: to be applicable
A park ranger in a green uniform pointing to a sign with a red circle and a leash symbol, showing a visitor the rules.

📝 In Action

El director va a aplicar una nueva regla.

B1

The director is going to enforce a new rule.

Esta ley no se aplica en este caso.

B2

This law does not apply in this case.

Es difícil aplicar la teoría a la práctica.

B2

It is difficult to apply theory to practice.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • aplicar la ley – to enforce the law
  • aplicar un descuento – to apply a discount

Idioms & Expressions

  • aplicarse el cuento – to take one's own advice

to apply oneself

A young student sitting at a desk, leaning forward with intense focus while reading a large book.

📝 In Action

Si te aplicas un poco más, aprobarás el examen.

B2

If you apply yourself a bit more, you will pass the exam.

María siempre se aplica mucho en sus estudios.

B2

Maria always applies herself a lot in her studies.

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoaplique
túapliques
él/ella/ustedaplique
nosotrosapliquemos
vosotrosapliquéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesapliquen

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoaplicara
túaplicaras
él/ella/ustedaplicara
nosotrosaplicáramos
vosotrosaplicarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaplicaran

Indicative

Present

yoaplico
túaplicas
él/ella/ustedaplica
nosotrosaplicamos
vosotrosaplicáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaplican

Preterite

yoapliqué
túaplicaste
él/ella/ustedaplicó
nosotrosaplicamos
vosotrosaplicasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaplicaron

Imperfect

yoaplicaba
túaplicabas
él/ella/ustedaplicaba
nosotrosaplicábamos
vosotrosaplicabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaplicaban
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "aplicar" in Spanish:

to apply→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aplicar

Question 1 of 3

Which form is correct for 'I applied' (past tense)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
aplicación(application (app or physical application)) — Noun
aplicado(studious/diligent) — Adjective
aplicable(applicable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'applicare,' which meant to join, attach, or fold one thing onto another.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: applyFrench: appliquerItalian: applicare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'aplicar' for mobile phone apps?

Not as a verb, but the noun for an app is 'aplicación.' If you want to say 'to use an app,' you would say 'usar una aplicación.'

Does 'aplicar' always need the 'qu' spelling change?

Only when the ending starts with an 'e' (like in the past 'yo' form or the subjunctive/command forms). Otherwise, it stays as 'c'.

What is the difference between 'aplicar' and 'poner'?

'Poner' is general (to put), while 'aplicar' sounds more professional or specific, like putting on medicine or following a rule.