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otorgar

oh-tor-GAHR/otorˈɡaɾ/

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

to grant, to award

Also: to bestow, to consent
VerbB2spelling change arformal
A king handing a glowing golden key to a person kneeling respectfully.
gerundotorgando
past Participleotorgado
infinitiveotorgar

📝 In Action

El banco decidió otorgar el préstamo para la nueva casa.

B1

The bank decided to grant the loan for the new house.

Le otorgaron el premio Nobel de Literatura el año pasado.

B2

They awarded him the Nobel Prize in Literature last year.

La constitución otorga derechos fundamentales a todos.

C1

The constitution grants fundamental rights to everyone.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • otorgar un premio – to award a prize
  • otorgar permiso – to grant permission
  • otorgar una beca – to award a scholarship

Idioms & Expressions

  • Quien calla, otorga – Silence means consent; if you don't object, you agree.

to execute

Also: to draw up
VerbC1regular arformal
A hand holding a feather quill pen signing a formal document with a red wax seal.
gerundotorgando
past Participleotorgado
infinitiveotorgar

📝 In Action

El abuelo otorgó su testamento ante el notario.

C1

The grandfather executed his will before the notary.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • otorgar testamento – to make/execute a will
  • otorgar una escritura – to execute a deed

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesotorgaran
yootorgara
túotorgaras
vosotrosotorgarais
nosotrosotorgáramos
él/ella/ustedotorgara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesotorguen
yootorgue
túotorgues
vosotrosotorguéis
nosotrosotorguemos
él/ella/ustedotorgue

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesotorgaron
yootorgué
túotorgaste
vosotrosotorgasteis
nosotrosotorgamos
él/ella/ustedotorgó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesotorgaban
yootorgaba
túotorgabas
vosotrosotorgabais
nosotrosotorgábamos
él/ella/ustedotorgaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesotorgan
yootorgo
túotorgas
vosotrosotorgáis
nosotrosotorgamos
él/ella/ustedotorga
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: otorgar

Question 1 of 3

Which is the correct way to say 'I granted' in the past?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
otorgamiento(granting/awarding) — Noun
otorgante(grantor/the person giving) — Noun
otorgada(granted) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Latin word 'auctoricare', which comes from 'auctor' (author or authority). It literally means 'to act with authority' or 'to authorize'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: outorgarEnglish: authorize

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'otorgar' more common than 'conceder'?

They are very similar. 'Otorgar' is often used for prizes and legal documents, while 'conceder' is common for granting permission or interviews.

Does it have any irregular forms?

It is mostly regular, but it has a spelling change in the 'yo' preterite (otorgué) and the present subjunctive (otorgue) to maintain the pronunciation.

Can I use 'otorgar' for a physical gift?

Technically yes, but it sounds very stiff and weird. Stick to 'regalar' for gifts between friends.