enseñar
/en-se-nyar/
to teach
Use enseñar when someone is instructing a subject or skill, meaning "to teach."
enseñar(verb)
to teach
?to instruct a subject or skill
,to educate
?to provide instruction
to train
?in a professional context
📝 In Action
Mi abuela me enseñó a cocinar paella.
A1My grandmother taught me how to cook paella.
¿Quién te enseña español este año?
A1Who is teaching you Spanish this year?
El profesor enseña matemáticas en la universidad.
A2The professor teaches mathematics at the university.
💡 Grammar Points
Teaching 'How To'
To say 'to teach someone how to do something,' you follow 'enseñar' with 'a' and then the action verb: 'enseñar a + infinitive'. (e.g., 'enseñé a nadar').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Teach' and 'Learn'
Mistake: "Using 'enseñar' when you mean 'aprender' (to learn)."
Correction: Remember: 'Yo enseño' (I teach) but 'Yo aprendo' (I learn).
⭐ Usage Tips
Indirect Object Pronouns
Since you are teaching to someone, you often need an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, les): 'Les enseño la gramática' (I teach them the grammar).
Enseñar can also mean "to show," used when you display or present something visually.
enseñar(verb)
to show
?to display or present something visually
,to display
?to exhibit
to point out
?to indicate a location or object
📝 In Action
El guía nos enseñó la catedral antigua.
A2The guide showed us the old cathedral.
No puedes enseñar tu pasaporte caducado.
B1You cannot display your expired passport.
La niña me enseñó su dibujo favorito.
A2The girl showed me her favorite drawing.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'To Show' Meaning
In this context, 'enseñar' is very similar to 'mostrar' (also 'to show'). 'Enseñar' is often preferred when showing something specific or giving a tour.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Presentar'
Mistake: "Using 'presentar' when you mean 'show' an object."
Correction: 'Presentar' means 'to introduce a person' or 'to present a report.' Use 'enseñar' or 'mostrar' for physical objects.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: enseñar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'enseñar' in the sense of 'to show/display' rather than 'to teach'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'enseñar' the only word for 'to teach'?
No, but it is the most common and standard term. You can also use 'instruir' or 'educar,' but 'enseñar' is generally the verb you will hear and use most frequently in daily conversation.
What is the difference between 'enseñar' and 'mostrar'?
Both mean 'to show.' 'Enseñar' is often used when showing an object you possess or when giving a guided tour (showing a place). 'Mostrar' is slightly more formal but often interchangeable, especially when just displaying information or an object.