Inklingo
← Dictionary

otorgar

oh-tor-GAHRotorˈɡaɾ

“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

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "otorgar" in Spanish:

to award→to bestow→to consent→to execute→to grant→

✏️ 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

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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.