asegurar
/ah-seh-goo-RAHR/
to assure
Use "asegurar" when you want to assure someone of your intentions or state something with certainty.
asegurar(verb)
to assure
?to promise or state with certainty
,to guarantee
?to vouch for something
to affirm
?to state strongly
📝 In Action
Te aseguro que la reunión empieza a las diez en punto.
A2I assure you that the meeting starts at ten sharp.
El director aseguró que el proyecto estaría terminado para el viernes.
B1The director guaranteed that the project would be finished by Friday.
💡 Grammar Points
Asegurar vs. Asegurarse
When you 'asegurar' (without 'se'), you are making a promise to someone else. When you 'asegurarse' (with 'se'), you are verifying something for yourself.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Use of Subjunctive
Mistake: "Aseguro que sea verdad. (Incorrect verb form)"
Correction: Aseguro que es verdad. (Use the normal verb form (indicative) because 'asegurar' expresses certainty, not doubt or desire.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
Using 'Le aseguro...' (I assure you, formal) is a polite and professional way to give a strong commitment in business settings.
When you secure something, like locking a door or fastening a seatbelt, you use "asegurar."
asegurar(verb)
to secure
?to fasten or make safe
to fasten
?to attach firmly
,to lock
?to close with a key
📝 In Action
El carpintero aseguró la mesa a la pared para que no se cayera.
B1The carpenter secured the table to the wall so it wouldn't fall over.
Asegura la carga con estas cuerdas.
B1Fasten the load with these ropes.
💡 Grammar Points
Securing Actions
This meaning often involves physical objects. Think of it as making sure something is stable and won't move.
The financial protection offered by insurance against risk is expressed using "asegurar."
asegurar(verb)
to insure
?to provide financial protection against risk
to take out insurance on
?legal/financial
📝 In Action
Decidimos asegurar el coche contra todo riesgo.
B2We decided to insure the car against all risks.
Necesitas asegurar tu salud antes de viajar al extranjero.
B2You need to insure your health before traveling abroad.
💡 Grammar Points
Financial Context
When talking about insurance, 'asegurar' is often followed by 'contra' (against) to specify the risk being covered.
Use the reflexive form, "asegurarse," when you need to make sure or verify information.
asegurar(verb (reflexive))
to make sure (of something)
?to verify
,to ensure
?to take steps to guarantee an outcome
to check
?to inspect or verify
📝 In Action
Asegúrate de que tienes las llaves antes de cerrar.
A2Make sure that you have the keys before closing up.
Me aseguré de que todos estuvieran bien después del accidente.
B1I made sure that everyone was okay after the accident.
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive Action
When using 'asegurarse,' the 'se' tells us that the action of checking or verifying is directed back at the speaker ('I make sure myself').
Using 'Que'
This meaning is almost always followed by 'de que' (or just 'que' in some regions) and then the information you are verifying.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Dropping the Pronoun
Mistake: "Asegura de que tienes el dinero. (Missing reflexive pronoun)"
Correction: Asegúrate de que tienes el dinero. (The pronoun 'te' is needed because you are telling the person to check for themselves.)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: asegurar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'asegurar' in the sense of physically fastening or securing something?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'asegurar' different from 'prometer' (to promise)?
While both involve certainty, 'prometer' focuses strictly on giving a verbal commitment about a future action. 'Asegurar' is broader: it can mean to promise, to physically secure, or to verify a fact.
When should I use 'de que' after 'asegurarse'?
When 'asegurarse' introduces a piece of information you are verifying, you should include 'de que.' For example: 'Me aseguré de que el tren saliera a tiempo.' (I made sure that the train left on time.)