escribe
/ess-KREE-beh/
writes
Escribe means 'He/She/It writes.' This girl is writing a letter.
📝 In Action
Mi madre siempre escribe cartas a mano.
A1My mother always writes letters by hand.
El periodista no escribe artículos sobre política.
A2The journalist does not write articles about politics.
¿Usted escribe el informe antes de irse?
A2Do you write the report before leaving (formal)?
💡 Grammar Points
Subject Omission
Because the form 'escribe' clearly tells you the subject is 'he,' 'she,' or formal 'you' (usted), you usually don't need to say the pronoun (él/ella/usted) unless you need to emphasize who is doing the action.
Present Tense Form
This is the simplest way to talk about what someone does regularly, or what they are doing right now. It comes from taking the base verb 'escribir' and changing the '-ir' ending to '-e'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Tú/Usted
Mistake: "Using 'tú escribe' instead of 'tú escribes'."
Correction: Remember 'escribe' is for 'él/ella/usted'. If you use the informal 'tú', you must use 'escribes' (with the 's').
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Formal 'You'
When talking to someone formally (like a teacher or boss), use 'usted' with 'escribe': 'Usted escribe bien' (You write well).
Escribe is also the informal command 'Write!' (tú form).
📝 In Action
¡Escribe tu dirección en el formulario!
A1Write your address on the form!
Escribe una nota para tu papá antes de salir.
A1Write a note for your dad before leaving.
💡 Grammar Points
The Informal Command Rule
For regular verbs, the affirmative command for 'tú' (informal you) is exactly the same as the 'él/ella/usted' present tense form. So, 'escribe' means both 'he/she writes' AND 'write!'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Command Too Formally
Mistake: "Using '¡Escribe, Señor!' to address someone respectfully."
Correction: For formal commands, you must use 'escriba' ('¡Escriba, Señor!'). Use 'escribe' only for friends, family, or children.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Emotion
Commands often sound better when softened with 'por favor' (please) or when using exclamation marks to show urgency.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: escribe
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'escribe' to describe a routine action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'escribe' the command form for *usted* (formal you)?
No. 'Escribe' is the command for informal 'tú'. The formal command for 'usted' is 'escriba'. They sound similar but are used for different levels of respect.
What is the difference between 'escribe' and 'está escribiendo'?
'Escribe' usually describes a habitual action ('She writes every day'). 'Está escribiendo' emphasizes that the action is currently in progress, happening right now ('She is writing right now').