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explique

es-plee-keh

verbB1regular (-ar), with spelling change (c to qu) ar

explain?as a formal command (Usted),may explain / I explain?as a subjunctive desire or possibility

Also:let him/her explain?implying permission or request

Quick Reference

past Participleexplicado

infinitiveexplicar

gerundexplicando

📝 In Action

Necesito que usted me explique la diferencia.

I need you (formal) to explain the difference to me.

No creo que yo lo explique tan mal.

I don't believe that I explain it so badly.

¡Explique su punto de vista con más detalle!

Explain your point of view in more detail!

El profesor quiere que él explique su respuesta.

The professor wants him to explain his answer.

Word Connections

Synonyms

aclarar (to clarify)
detallar (to detail)

Antonyms

confundir (to confuse)

Common Collocations

explique la razón – explain the reason
que me lo explique – that he/she/you explain it to me

💡 Grammar Points

Dual Role of 'Explique'

This single word form is used for three different subjects: I (yo) in wishes/doubts, you formal (usted) in wishes/doubts, and you formal (usted) when giving a polite command.

The C to QU Change

To keep the 'k' sound in the verb 'explicar' before the letter 'e', the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This happens in all forms of the subjunctive and the imperative.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the Subjunctive

Mistake: "Quiero que usted explica."

Correction: Quiero que usted explique. (You must use the special subjunctive form after verbs of desire, like 'querer'.)

Using the 'Tú' Command Form Formally

Mistake: "¡Explica la situación, señorita!"

Correction: ¡Explique la situación, señorita! (For formal commands, use the 'usted' form, which ends in -e for -ar verbs.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Use for Polite Requests

When asking someone you don't know well to explain something, always use 'explique' (the formal command) to sound respectful: 'Por favor, explique esto.'

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

vosotrosexplicáis

él/ella/ustedexplica

túexplicas

yoexplico

nosotrosexplicamos

ellos/ellas/ustedesexplican

preterite

vosotrosexplicasteis

él/ella/ustedexplicó

túexplicaste

yoexpliqué

nosotrosexplicamos

ellos/ellas/ustedesexplicaron

imperfect

vosotrosexplicabais

él/ella/ustedexplicaba

túexplicabas

yoexplicaba

nosotrosexplicábamos

ellos/ellas/ustedesexplicaban

subjunctive

present

vosotrosexpliquéis

él/ella/ustedexplique

túexpliques

yoexplique

nosotrosexpliquemos

ellos/ellas/ustedesexpliquen

imperfect

vosotrosexplicarais/explicaseis

él/ella/ustedexplicara/explicase

túexplicaras/explicases

yoexplicara/explicase

nosotrosexplicáramos/explicásemos

ellos/ellas/ustedesexplicaran/explicasen

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: explique

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'explique' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

explicar(to explain) - verb

explicación(explanation) - noun

explicativo(explanatory) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'explicar' change to 'explique' instead of 'explice' in the subjunctive?

This is a mandatory spelling change in Spanish verbs that end in -car (like buscar or explicar). The 'c' must change to 'qu' before 'e' to maintain the hard 'k' sound. If it stayed 'c', it would sound like /s/ or /th/ (depending on the region).

Is 'explique' the same as 'explico'?

No. 'Explico' (I explain) is a statement of fact in the present. 'Explique' (I may explain) is a special form used for wishes, commands, or uncertainty, and it is also the formal command for 'you' (usted).