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formular

for-moo-larfoɾmuˈlaɾ

to phrase

Also: to state, to ask
VerbB1regular arformal
A child raising their hand with a bright idea bubble above their head in a classroom setting.
gerundformulando
past Participleformulado
infinitiveformular

📝 In Action

Tengo que formular una pregunta para el profesor.

A2

I have to phrase a question for the teacher.

Es difícil formular mis sentimientos con palabras.

B1

It is difficult to put my feelings into words.

El abogado formuló una queja ante el juez.

B2

The lawyer lodged a complaint before the judge.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • expresar (to express)
  • enunciar (to enunciate/state)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • formular una pregunta – to ask a question
  • formular una queja – to lodge a complaint
  • formular una hipótesis – to formulate a hypothesis

to formulate

Also: to prepare
VerbB2regular ar
A scientist in a lab coat carefully pouring a blue liquid from a test tube into a glass beaker.
gerundformulando
past Participleformulado
infinitiveformular

📝 In Action

El laboratorio formuló una nueva crema solar.

B1

The laboratory formulated a new sunscreen.

Necesitamos formular un plan de rescate.

B2

We need to formulate/prepare a rescue plan.

Es difícil formular este compuesto sin los químicos adecuados.

C1

It is difficult to formulate this compound without the right chemicals.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • formular un producto – to formulate a product
  • formular una estrategia – to formulate a strategy

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoformulara
túformularas
él/ella/ustedformulara
nosotrosformuláramos
vosotrosformularais
ellos/ellas/ustedesformularan

Present Subjunctive

yoformule
túformules
él/ella/ustedformule
nosotrosformulemos
vosotrosformuléis
ellos/ellas/ustedesformulen

Indicative

Preterite

yoformulé
túformulaste
él/ella/ustedformuló
nosotrosformulamos
vosotrosformulasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesformularon

Imperfect

yoformulaba
túformulabas
él/ella/ustedformulaba
nosotrosformulábamos
vosotrosformulabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesformulaban

Present

yoformulo
túformulas
él/ella/ustedformula
nosotrosformulamos
vosotrosformuláis
ellos/ellas/ustedesformulan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "formular" in Spanish:

to ask→to formulate→to phrase→to prepare→to state→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: formular

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the most natural way to say 'to ask a formal question' in a meeting?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
fórmula(formula) — Noun
formulario(form (to fill out)) — Noun
formulación(formulation) — Noun
formulado(formulated) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'formulāre', which comes from 'formula' meaning a small rule or pattern. It originally referred to following a small set of instructions.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: formulateFrench: formulerItalian: formulare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'formular' an irregular verb?

No, it is a completely regular -ar verb. It follows the same patterns as 'hablar' or 'cantar'.

Can I use 'formular' to mean filling out a form?

Not exactly. To fill out a form, you use 'rellenar' or 'completar un formulario'. 'Formular' means to create the phrasing or the mixture itself.

When should I use 'expresar' instead of 'formular'?

Use 'expresar' for general feelings or ideas. Use 'formular' when you are carefully choosing your words to be very clear or professional.