cambia
“cambia” means “changes” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
changes, exchangesAlso: switches
📝 In Action
Mi hermana cambia de trabajo cada año.
A1My sister changes jobs every year.
¿A qué hora cambia la guardia en el palacio?
A2What time does the guard change at the palace?
Usted cambia su opinión constantemente.
B1You (formal) change your mind constantly.
Word Connections
Change!, Exchange!
📝 In Action
¡Cambia la contraseña inmediatamente!
A2Change the password immediately!
Si hace calor, cambia el termostato.
A2If it's hot, change the thermostat.
Cambia de tema, por favor, ya no quiero hablar de eso.
B1Change the subject, please, I don't want to talk about that anymore.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cambia
Question 1 of 2
Which English sentence correctly uses 'cambia' as a command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Comes from the Late Latin verb *cambiare*, meaning 'to exchange' or 'to barter.' This root word itself likely has Gaulish (Celtic) origins.
First recorded: Around the 10th century in early Romance languages.
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'cambia' is a statement or a command?
Context and punctuation are your clues! If it's a statement, it usually has a subject ('él/ella/usted') nearby, like 'Él cambia el agua.' If it's a command, it often stands alone or is followed by an exclamation mark, like '¡Cambia eso!'
What is the difference between 'cambia' and 'cambie'?
'Cambia' is the standard form for 'he/she changes' or the informal command ('tú'). 'Cambie' is the form used for the formal command ('usted') or when expressing wishes, desires, or doubts (the special form known as the Present Subjunctive).