examinar
/ex-ah-mee-NAR/
to examine
Examinar can mean to look at something closely, like inspecting a leaf with a magnifying glass.
examinar(verb)
to examine
?to look at something closely
,to inspect
?checking for details or problems
to check
?informal look-over
📝 In Action
El doctor examinó mi brazo herido.
A2The doctor examined my injured arm.
Tienes que examinar el contrato antes de firmar.
B1You have to inspect the contract before signing.
💡 Grammar Points
A regular -AR verb
This verb follows the standard pattern for all -ar verbs. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar', you can conjugate 'examinar'!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'taking' vs 'giving' a test
Mistake: "Using 'examinar' to say you are taking a test as a student."
Correction: As a student, use 'examinarse' or 'hacer un examen'. 'Examinar' is what the teacher or doctor does to you.
⭐ Usage Tips
Professional context
Use this word when you want to sound more formal or precise than 'mirar' (to look).
Examinar also means to test or evaluate, such as a teacher checking a student's progress.
examinar(verb)
to test
?a teacher evaluating a student
,to quiz
?to ask questions to check knowledge
📝 In Action
La profesora nos va a examinar de historia mañana.
B1The teacher is going to test us on history tomorrow.
💡 Grammar Points
Use of 'de'
When testing someone on a specific subject, we often use 'de' followed by the subject name (e.g., examinar de matemáticas).
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: examinar
Question 1 of 2
If you are a student and you have a big test today, which sentence is correct?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'examinar' always mean a school test?
No! It most commonly means to look at something very closely to check its condition, like a doctor looking at a patient or a mechanic checking an engine.
How do I say 'I am taking an exam'?
You should say 'Hago un examen' or 'Me examino'. Using just 'examino' sounds like you are the teacher giving the grade.