cubre
/KOO-breh/
covers
When someone or something cubre another thing, it covers it completely.
cubre(Verb)
covers
?He/she/it covers (Present Tense)
,cover!
?You (informal) cover! (Affirmative Command)
hides
?conceals something
,shrouds
?figurative covering
📝 In Action
Ella siempre cubre la comida con papel de aluminio.
A1She always covers the food with aluminum foil.
¡Cubre la mesa antes de empezar a pintar!
A2Cover the table before starting to paint!
La nieve cubre todo el paisaje.
A2The snow covers the entire landscape.
💡 Grammar Points
Dual Role of 'Cubre'
'Cubre' has two main uses: it describes what 'he, she, or it' does now (Present Tense), and it is the informal command 'You, cover!'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Irregular Past Participle
Mistake: "Using *cubrido* instead of *cubierto* when forming perfect tenses (like 'has covered')."
Correction: Always use the irregular form: 'Ha cubierto' (He has covered).
⭐ Usage Tips
Remembering the Verb
Think of cubrir being related to 'cube' or 'cubicle'—it’s about surrounding or enclosing something.
Cubre can also mean that someone or something pays for or finances an expense.
cubre(Verb)
covers
?pays for, finances
,meets
?satisfies a requirement
reports on
?journalism/media coverage
,fills
?fills a vacancy or position
📝 In Action
El seguro médico no cubre esa cirugía.
B2The medical insurance does not cover that surgery.
El periodista cubre las noticias internacionales.
C1The journalist covers (reports on) international news.
El presupuesto cubre todos los gastos de la obra.
B2The budget covers all the expenses for the project.
💡 Grammar Points
Covering Expenses
When talking about money, 'cubrir' means to provide the funds needed, similar to 'to foot the bill' or 'to pay for'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If the subject is a person or a media outlet, 'cubre' usually means 'reports on.' If the subject is insurance or a budget, it means 'pays for.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cubre
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'cubre' in the sense of meeting a financial obligation?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the base verb *cubrir* considered irregular?
Even though most of its present tense forms follow the standard pattern, the verb is classified as irregular because its past participle is 'cubierto' (not *cubrido*), which is a key part of the verb system.
How do I know if 'cubre' is a command or a statement?
It depends on the context and punctuation. If it's a statement, it usually refers to a third person ('Ella cubre la olla'). If it's a command, it's often directed at 'tú' and might have exclamation marks: '¡Cubre eso!'