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instalar

een-stah-LAHRinstaˈlaɾ

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

to install, to set up

Also: to put in
VerbA2regular ar
A computer screen showing a progress bar filling up next to a small icon of a wrench and a gear.
gerundinstalando
past Participleinstalado
infinitiveinstalar

📝 In Action

Necesito instalar una aplicación nueva.

A1

I need to install a new app.

El técnico va a instalar el aire acondicionado mañana.

A2

The technician is going to install the air conditioning tomorrow.

Es importante instalar las actualizaciones de seguridad.

B1

It is important to install security updates.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desinstalar (to uninstall)
  • quitar (to remove)

Common Collocations

  • instalar un programa – to install a program
  • instalar el software – to install the software

to settle

Also: to set up, to move in
VerbB1regular ar
A person happily sitting on a sofa in a new living room surrounded by a few cardboard boxes.
gerundinstalando
past Participleinstalado
infinitiveinstalar

📝 In Action

Se instalaron en su nueva casa el lunes.

B1

They settled into their new house on Monday.

El abogado instaló su despacho en el centro.

B2

The lawyer set up his office downtown.

Queremos instalarnos cómodamente antes de la cena.

B1

We want to get settled comfortably before dinner.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • establecerse (to establish oneself)
  • acomodarse (to get comfortable)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • instalar un negocio – to set up a business
  • instalarse en un lugar – to settle in a place

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoinstalara
túinstalaras
él/ella/ustedinstalara
nosotrosinstaláramos
vosotrosinstalarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesinstalaran

Present Subjunctive

yoinstale
túinstales
él/ella/ustedinstale
nosotrosinstalemos
vosotrosinstaléis
ellos/ellas/ustedesinstalen

Indicative

Preterite

yoinstalé
túinstalaste
él/ella/ustedinstaló
nosotrosinstalamos
vosotrosinstalasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesinstalaron

Imperfect

yoinstalaba
túinstalabas
él/ella/ustedinstalaba
nosotrosinstalábamos
vosotrosinstalabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesinstalaban

Present

yoinstalo
túinstalas
él/ella/ustedinstala
nosotrosinstalamos
vosotrosinstaláis
ellos/ellas/ustedesinstalan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "instalar" in Spanish:

to install→to settle→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: instalar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence means 'I am installing the app'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
instalación(installation) — Noun
instalador(installer) — Noun
desinstalar(to uninstall) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Medieval Latin word 'installare', which comes from 'in-' (into) and 'stallum' (a stall or place). It originally meant placing someone in an official seat or 'stall'.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: installFrench: installer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'instalar' a regular verb?

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.

Can I use 'instalar' for setting up a business?

Yes, it is very common to say 'instalar un negocio' or 'instalar una oficina' when opening a new location.

What is the difference between 'poner' and 'instalar'?

'Poner' is general (to put), while 'instalar' implies a more complex setup or technical connection, like wiring or software configuration.