A colorful, friendly storybook illustration showing three cartoon characters standing in a group, all with open mouths, engaged in animated conversation. Simple curved lines emanate from their mouths to indicate speech.

hablen

ah-blehn

Verb (Conjugated Form)B1regular ar

speak?as a formal command (Ustedes),may speak / that they speak?as a wish, doubt, or necessity (Subjunctive)

Also:talk?formal instruction,discuss?when expressing a desire for discussion

Quick Reference

infinitivehablar

gerundhablando

past Participlehablado

📝 In Action

¡Señores, hablen más despacio para que yo pueda entender!

Gentlemen, speak slower so that I can understand!

Es crucial que los estudiantes hablen entre ellos en español.

It is crucial that the students speak among themselves in Spanish.

Dudo que ellos hablen tres idiomas fluidamente.

I doubt that they speak three languages fluently.

Word Connections

Synonyms

conversar (to converse)
charlar (to chat)

Antonyms

callar (to be quiet)

Common Collocations

Hablen de política. – They talk about politics.
Que hablen claro. – Let them speak clearly.

Idioms & Expressions

Que hablen los hechos. – Actions speak louder than words.

💡 Grammar Points

Dual Function of 'Hablen'

This single form is used for two main purposes: 1) Giving a formal command to a group ('Ustedes, hablen...') and 2) Expressing wishes, doubts, or necessity about a group ('Es necesario que ellos hablen...').

Subjunctive Trigger

When 'hablen' is used in a sentence's second part, it’s usually because the first part expresses emotion, desire, doubt, or a necessary action (e.g., 'Quiero que...' or 'Es importante que...').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Command Forms

Mistake: "Using 'hablan' (indicative) for a command: 'Ustedes hablan ahora.'"

Correction: For formal plural commands, you must use the special form 'hablen': 'Ustedes, hablen ahora.' The 'n' ending is key for 'ustedes'.

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'Switch' Rule

To form 'hablen' (the subjunctive/command form), start with the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('hablo'), remove the 'o', and add the opposite ending: since it's an -AR verb, you add the -ER/-IR plural ending ('-en').

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: hablen

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'hablen' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

hablar(to speak) - verb

el habla(speech, language ability) - noun

hablador(a)(talkative person) - noun/adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am speaking to two friends, should I use 'hablen' or 'habláis'?

If you are in Latin America, you should use 'hablen' (Ustedes form) if you want to be formal, or 'hablan' (indicative) if you are asking a question. However, if you are in Spain, you should use 'hablad' for the informal command (vosotros) or 'habláis' for the present tense.

How is 'hablen' different from 'hablan'?

'Hablan' is the normal, factual present tense (They speak/You (Uds.) speak). 'Hablen' is the special form used for commands (Speak!) or when expressing wishes, desires, or doubt (I want them to speak).