figurar

fee-goo-RAR/fi.ɣuˈɾaɾ/

“figurar” means “to appear” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to appear🔊B1Verb

on a list or record

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to imagine🔊B1Verb

mental visualization

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to appear

Also: to be listed, to feature

VerbB1regular ar

A colorful trophy sitting on a wooden podium, representing an achievement that is recorded.

gerundfigurando

past Participlefigurado

infinitivefigurar

📝 In Action

Tu nombre no figura en la lista de invitados.

Your name does not appear on the guest list.

Muchos actores famosos figuran en los créditos finales.

Many famous actors appear in the end credits.

Ese artículo figura como el más leído del mes.

That article is listed as the most read of the month.

Word Connections

Synonyms

aparecer (to appear)
constar (to be stated/listed)

Antonyms

desaparecer (to disappear)

Common Collocations

figurar en el acta – to be in the official records
figurar como – to be listed as

to imagine

Also: to suppose

VerbB1regular ar

A person sitting on a grassy hill looking at a cloud shaped like a dragon.

gerundfigurándose

past Participlefigurado

infinitivefigurarse

📝 In Action

Me figuro que tendrás mucha hambre.

I imagine you must be very hungry.

¡No te lo puedes ni figurar!

You can't even imagine it!

Se figuró que la fiesta era hoy.

He imagined (assumed) the party was today.

Word Connections

Synonyms

imaginar (to imagine)
suponer (to suppose)

Antonyms

saber (to know (fact))

Common Collocations

ya me figuro – I can imagine / I figured as much

Idioms & Expressions

¡Figúrate! – Just imagine! / Can you believe it?

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesfiguraran

yofigurara

túfiguraras

vosotrosfigurarais

nosotrosfiguráramos

él/ella/ustedfigurara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesfiguren

yofigure

túfigures

vosotrosfiguréis

nosotrosfiguremos

él/ella/ustedfigure

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesfiguraron

yofiguré

túfiguraste

vosotrosfigurasteis

nosotrosfiguramos

él/ella/ustedfiguró

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesfiguraban

yofiguraba

túfigurabas

vosotrosfigurabais

nosotrosfigurábamos

él/ella/ustedfiguraba

present

yofiguro

obsfiguran

túfiguras

vosotrosfiguráis

nosotrosfiguramos

él/ella/ustedfigura

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "figurar" in Spanish:

to appear→to feature→to imagine→to suppose→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: figurar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'figurar' to mean 'to appear on a list'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

figura(figure/shape) — Noun

figurado(figurative) — Adjective

figurante(an extra (in a movie)) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

lugar mirar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'figurare', meaning to form, shape, or fashion. It shares the same root as the English word 'figure'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: figureFrench: figurer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'figurar' and 'aparecer'?

'Aparecer' is a general word for 'to show up' or 'to appear.' 'Figurar' is more specific; it usually implies being part of an official list, record, or formal setting.

Can 'figurar' mean 'to figure out' in math?

No. This is a common mistake for English speakers. For math or solving problems, use 'resolver' or 'calcular'.

Is 'figurarse' the same as 'imaginar'?

Yes, they are very similar. 'Figurarse' often carries a nuance of 'supposing' or 'assuming' something based on current information, whereas 'imaginar' can be more about pure fantasy.