esconde
/es-KOHN-deh/
hides
When someone physically hides something, like putting an object out of sight, they esconde it.
esconde(verb)
hides
?He/she/it puts something out of sight
,Hide!
?Informal command (Tú affirmative imperative)
conceals
?A more formal synonym
,stashes
?Informal, temporary hiding
📝 In Action
Mi perro siempre esconde sus juguetes debajo del sofá.
A2My dog always hides his toys under the sofa.
Ella esconde la verdad sobre su viaje.
B1She is hiding the truth about her trip.
¡Esconde el pastel antes de que llegue tu hermano!
A2Hide the cake before your brother arrives!
💡 Grammar Points
Dual Role of 'Esconde'
This single form means both 'he/she/it hides' (telling a fact) and 'Hide!' (giving an informal command to one person, Tú).
Hiding Oneself
To say 'he/she hides himself/herself,' you must add 'se' before the verb: 'Se esconde' (He/She hides).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Hiding Secrets vs. Objects
Mistake: "Using 'esconde' only for physical objects when talking about secrets."
Correction: 'Esconde' works perfectly for both physical objects and abstract things like secrets ('Esconde un secreto').
⭐ Usage Tips
The Game of Hide-and-Seek
The famous children's game is called 'esconder y buscar' (hide and seek) or often 'el escondite' (the hiding place/game).
When someone figuratively conceals their feelings or intentions, they esconde them.
esconde(verb)
conceals
?Figuratively, keeping feelings or intentions secret
masks
?Hiding true feelings behind an expression
,veils
?Suggests something partially hidden or obscured
📝 In Action
Su sonrisa esconde una gran tristeza.
B1His smile conceals a great sadness.
La niebla esconde la cima de la montaña.
B2The fog conceals the mountain peak.
El informe esconde los verdaderos costos del proyecto.
B2The report hides the true costs of the project.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Esconderse' (To hide oneself)
When the hiding action is done by the subject to itself (reflexive), you must use 'se esconde,' meaning 'he/she hides himself/herself' or 'it hides itself.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Literary Use
In literature, 'esconde' is often used metaphorically to suggest mystery or intrigue, such as 'La ciudad esconde secretos' (The city hides secrets).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: esconde
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'esconde' as a command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'esconde' a regular or irregular verb?
'Esconde' comes from the verb 'esconder,' which is a regular verb. This means it follows the standard pattern for -er verbs, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.
What is the difference between 'esconde' and 'oculta'?
Both mean 'hides' or 'conceals.' 'Esconde' is very common and often used for physical hiding (like a toy). 'Oculta' is slightly more formal and frequently used for abstract things like secrets, motives, or historical facts, though they are often interchangeable.