mostrar
/mo-STRAR/
to show
Showing (mostrar) a physical object.
mostrar(Verb)
to show
?displaying a physical object
,to display
?putting something on view
to point out
?indicating a location or item
📝 In Action
¿Puedes mostrarme tu pasaporte, por favor?
A1Can you show me your passport, please?
El museo muestra arte prehispánico.
A2The museum displays pre-Hispanic art.
Ella me mostró el camino a la salida.
A2She showed me the way to the exit.
💡 Grammar Points
The Special Vowel Change
In the present tense, the 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue' when the ending is stressed: yo muestro, tú muestras. BUT, for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros', it stays 'o': nosotros mostramos.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'ue' change
Mistake: "Yo mostro mi casa."
Correction: Yo muestro mi casa. Remember the 'o' becomes 'ue' in the singular forms and 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' form.
⭐ Usage Tips
Showing 'To Whom'
Since you are showing something to someone, you often need an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, les): Muéstrame la foto (Show the photo to me).
Demonstrating (mostrar) a process.
mostrar(Verb)
to demonstrate
?to prove or explain a process
,to prove
?to provide evidence
to exhibit (a quality)
?to show a certain skill or characteristic
📝 In Action
Los datos muestran que la economía está mejorando.
B1The data demonstrates that the economy is improving.
Debemos mostrar respeto por las reglas.
B1We must show respect for the rules.
El informe mostró resultados inesperados.
B2The report proved/showed unexpected results.
Appearing to be (mostrarse) a certain way.
mostrar(Verb)
to appear to be
?how someone presents themselves (mostrarse)
,to reveal oneself
?to finally show up
to express
?to convey feelings
📝 In Action
Ella siempre se muestra muy amable con los clientes.
B2She always appears/shows herself to be very kind to the clients.
Después de la pelea, él se mostró arrepentido.
B2After the fight, he appeared remorseful.
Es difícil mostrar alegría cuando estás triste.
C1It is difficult to express joy when you are sad.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Reflexive Form (Mostrarse)
When you use 'mostrarse' (with 'me, te, se, nos, os'), you are describing how a person or thing presents itself to the world, often followed by an adjective: Se muestra feliz (He appears happy).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mostrar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'mostrar' in the sense of expressing an emotion?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'mostrar' only used for physical objects?
No. While it is very common for physical objects ('Show me the keys'), it is equally used for abstract things like feelings ('mostrar respeto') or evidence ('mostrar la verdad').
What is the difference between 'mostrar' and 'enseñar'?
Both mean 'to show,' but 'enseñar' often carries the additional meaning of 'to teach.' If you are showing someone how to do something, 'enseñar' is usually better. If you are just displaying an object, 'mostrar' works perfectly.