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colaborar

ko-la-bo-RARkolaβoˈɾaɾ

“colaborar” means “to collaborate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to collaborate

Also: to work together
VerbA2regular ar
Two people working together to build a small wooden birdhouse on a table.
gerundcolaborando
past Participlecolaborado
infinitivecolaborar

📝 In Action

Me gusta colaborar con personas creativas.

A2

I like to collaborate with creative people.

Todos debemos colaborar para terminar a tiempo.

A2

We all must work together to finish on time.

Ella colaboró estrechamente con el equipo de diseño.

B1

She collaborated closely with the design team.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • competir (to compete)
  • obstaculizar (to hinder)

Common Collocations

  • colaborar con – to collaborate with (someone)
  • colaborar en – to collaborate on (a project)

to contribute

Also: to help out
VerbB1regular ar
A person placing a bright red apple into a large basket filled with food for others.
gerundcolaborando
past Participlecolaborado
infinitivecolaborar

📝 In Action

Ella colabora con una organización benéfica cada mes.

B1

She contributes to a charity every month.

Puedes colaborar donando comida o ropa.

B1

You can help out by donating food or clothes.

¿Le gustaría colaborar con nuestra causa?

B1

Would you like to contribute to our cause?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • colaborar económicamente – to contribute financially
  • colaborar como voluntario – to volunteer (help out as a volunteer)

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yocolaborara
túcolaboraras
él/ella/ustedcolaborara
nosotroscolaboráramos
vosotroscolaborarais
ellos/ellas/ustedescolaboraran

Present Subjunctive

yocolabore
túcolabores
él/ella/ustedcolabore
nosotroscolaboremos
vosotroscolaboréis
ellos/ellas/ustedescolaboren

Indicative

Preterite

yocolaboré
túcolaboraste
él/ella/ustedcolaboró
nosotroscolaboramos
vosotroscolaborasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedescolaboraron

Imperfect

yocolaboraba
túcolaborabas
él/ella/ustedcolaboraba
nosotroscolaborábamos
vosotroscolaborabais
ellos/ellas/ustedescolaboraban

Present

yocolaboro
túcolaboras
él/ella/ustedcolabora
nosotroscolaboramos
vosotroscolaboráis
ellos/ellas/ustedescolaboran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "colaborar" in Spanish:

to collaborate→to contribute→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: colaborar

Question 1 of 3

Which connector do you use to specify the person you are collaborating with?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
colaboración(collaboration) — Noun
colaborador(collaborator/helper) — Noun
colaborativo(collaborative) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'collaborare', which combines 'com-' (together) and 'laborare' (to work). Essentially, it means 'to work together'.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: collaborateFrench: collaborerItalian: collaborare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'colaborar' the same as 'ayudar'?

They are similar, but 'colaborar' usually implies a mutual partnership or a professional context, while 'ayudar' is a general word for giving help.

Is this verb irregular?

No, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb. It follows the same rules as 'hablar' or 'cantar'.

Can I use 'colaborar' for donating money?

Yes! It is a very common and polite way to talk about contributing to charities or social causes.