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erigir

eh-ree-HEER/eɾiˈxiɾ/

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

to erect, to build

Also: to raise
VerbC1orthographic change irformal
A group of workers carefully lifting a large stone statue into place in a public square.
gerunderigiendo
past Participleerigido
infinitiveerigir

📝 In Action

Decidieron erigir un monumento en la plaza central.

B2

They decided to erect a monument in the central square.

El arquitecto erigió una torre que domina el paisaje.

C1

The architect built a tower that dominates the landscape.

Es costoso erigir estatuas de mármol en estos tiempos.

C1

It is expensive to erect marble statues these days.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • erigir un monumento – to erect a monument
  • erigir una estatua – to erect a statue

to establish, to found

Also: to constitute
VerbC1orthographic change irformal
A large, sturdy stone building with a flag on top, representing a new institution.
gerunderigiendo
past Participleerigido
infinitiveerigir

📝 In Action

El congreso busca erigir un nuevo sistema de justicia.

C1

Congress seeks to establish a new justice system.

La región se erigió en estado independiente.

C2

The region established itself as an independent state.

Querían erigir una academia de ciencias.

C1

They wanted to found an academy of sciences.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fundar (to found)
  • instituir (to institute)

Antonyms

  • disolver (to dissolve)
  • abolir (to abolish)

Common Collocations

  • erigir una institución – to establish an institution
  • erigirse en líder – to set oneself up as a leader

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedeserigieran
yoerigiera
túerigieras
vosotroserigierais
nosotroserigiéramos
él/ella/ustederigiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedeserijan
yoerija
túerijas
vosotroserijáis
nosotroserijamos
él/ella/ustederija

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedeserigieron
yoerigí
túerigiste
vosotroserigisteis
nosotroserigimos
él/ella/ustederigió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedeserigían
yoerigía
túerigías
vosotroserigíais
nosotroserigíamos
él/ella/ustederigía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedeserigen
yoerijo
túeriges
vosotroserigís
nosotroserigimos
él/ella/ustederige
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: erigir

Question 1 of 3

Which is the correct 'yo' (I) form of erigir in the present tense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
erigirse(to set oneself up (as)) — Verb
erección(construction/founding) — Noun
erecto(upright/erect) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin verb 'erigere', where 'e-' means 'out' and 'regere' means 'to lead straight or rule'. It's the same root that gives us 'erect' in English.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: erectFrench: ériger

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'erigir' different from 'construir'?

Yes. While 'construir' is the general word for building anything, 'erigir' is much more formal and usually refers to monuments, statues, or founding important institutions.

Why does the 'g' change to 'j' sometimes?

This happens to keep the pronunciation consistent. The 'g' in erigir sounds like a breathy 'h'. In Spanish, 'g' only makes that sound before 'e' or 'i'. Before 'o' or 'a', we must use 'j' to keep that same sound.

Can I use 'erigir' in daily conversation?

You can, but it might sound a bit 'fancy' or poetic. It's more common in books, news, or formal speeches.