organizar
/or-gah-nee-SAR/
to organize
To 'organizar' (organize) means to arrange items neatly, like tidying a room.
organizar(verb)
to organize
?a party, a room, a trip
,to arrange
?objects, furniture
to plan
?an event or activity
📝 In Action
Necesito organizar mi escritorio antes de empezar a trabajar.
A1I need to organize my desk before starting to work.
Ellos organizaron una fiesta sorpresa para su cumpleaños.
A2They organized a surprise party for his birthday.
Si organizamos bien la semana, tendremos tiempo libre el sábado.
B1If we organize the week well, we will have free time on Saturday.
💡 Grammar Points
Spelling Change in the Preterite
The 'yo' form of the past tense (preterite) changes the 'z' to a 'c' (organicé). This is just to keep the 's' sound consistent when the ending starts with an 'e'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The 'z' in the Subjunctive
Mistake: "Quiero que yo organizo la reunión."
Correction: Quiero que yo organice la reunión. (The 'z' changes to 'c' in the special form used for wishes—the subjunctive.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Organizarse' (Reflexive)
If you want to say 'to get organized' or 'to organize oneself', use the reflexive form: 'Me voy a organizar mejor este año' (I am going to get organized better this year).
When you 'organizar' (set up) a committee or a system, you establish all the necessary parts into a cohesive whole.
organizar(verb)
to set up
?a committee, a system
to establish
?a group or structure
,to form
?a team or organization
📝 In Action
Los vecinos decidieron organizar una asociación para limpiar el parque.
B1The neighbors decided to form an association to clean the park.
La empresa está organizando un nuevo departamento de innovación tecnológica.
B2The company is setting up a new department for technological innovation.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This meaning is often used in newspapers, business reports, or political discussions when talking about creating formal bodies or structures.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: organizar
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'organizar' in the sense of 'to establish a structure' (B1 meaning)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Por qué cambia la 'z' a 'c' en algunas conjugaciones?
This is purely a spelling rule! In Spanish, the letter 'z' can only be followed by 'a', 'o', or 'u'. When the verb ending starts with 'e' (like in the 'yo' preterite: organic**é** or the present subjunctive: organic**e**mos), the 'z' must change to 'c' to keep the consistent 's' sound.
Is 'organizar' the same as 'ordenar'?
They are very similar synonyms! 'Organizar' focuses more on planning, structure, and arrangement (e.g., organizing a trip). 'Ordenar' is usually focused on tidiness and putting things in the correct sequence (e.g., ordering your room or a list).