especificar
“especificar” means “to specify” in Spanish (giving clear details).
to specify
Also: to state clearly, to detail
📝 In Action
Por favor, especifica el color que quieres para la camiseta.
A2Please specify the color you want for the t-shirt.
El contrato especifica que el pago debe hacerse antes del lunes.
B1The contract specifies that payment must be made before Monday.
No especificaste las condiciones del trato en el correo electrónico.
B2You didn't specify the terms of the deal in the email.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: especificar
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'I specified' in the past (preterite) in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'especificāre', which combines 'species' (kind/type) and 'facere' (to make). Literally, it means 'to make into a specific type'.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'especificar' always need an object?
Usually, yes. You generally specify 'something' (like a color, a date, or a rule). Using it alone can feel unfinished.
Why is it spelled 'especifiqué' and not 'especificé'?
In Spanish, 'ce' sounds like 'se'. To keep the 'k' sound of 'especificar', we use 'qu' which always makes a 'k' sound before an 'e'.
Is 'especificar' formal?
It is neutral but leans toward formal. It's perfectly fine to use with friends if you need them to be more clear, but it's very common in legal and technical writing.