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pactar

pahk-TARpakˈtaɾ

“pactar” means “to reach an agreement” in Spanish (general settlement).

to reach an agreement, to make a deal

Also: to bargain, to covenant
VerbB1regular ar
Spain
Two people shaking hands over a small wooden table to symbolize a mutual agreement.
gerundpactando
past Participlepactado
infinitivepactar

📝 In Action

Los dos países decidieron pactar una tregua.

B1

The two countries decided to agree on a truce.

Tenemos que pactar las condiciones del contrato hoy mismo.

B2

We have to agree on the terms of the contract this very day.

Los partidos políticos están intentando pactar para formar un gobierno.

C1

The political parties are trying to make a deal to form a government.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • discrepar (to disagree)
  • incumplir (to break an agreement)

Common Collocations

  • pactar una cita – to arrange an appointment
  • pactar el precio – to agree on the price
  • pactar con el enemigo – to make a deal with the enemy

Idioms & Expressions

  • Pactar con el diablo – To compromise one's morals for personal gain

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yopactara
túpactaras
él/ella/ustedpactara
nosotrospactáramos
vosotrospactarais
ellos/ellas/ustedespactaran

Present Subjunctive

yopacte
túpactes
él/ella/ustedpacte
nosotrospactemos
vosotrospactéis
ellos/ellas/ustedespacten

Indicative

Preterite

yopacté
túpactaste
él/ella/ustedpactó
nosotrospactamos
vosotrospactasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedespactaron

Imperfect

yopactaba
túpactabas
él/ella/ustedpactaba
nosotrospactábamos
vosotrospactabais
ellos/ellas/ustedespactaban

Present

yopacto
túpactas
él/ella/ustedpacta
nosotrospactamos
vosotrospactáis
ellos/ellas/ustedespactan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pactar" in Spanish:

to bargain→to covenant→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pactar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'pactar' to mean agreeing on a price?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pacto(pact/agreement) — Noun
pactado(agreed upon) — Adjective
pactante(a person or party making a deal) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'pactare', derived from 'pactum', meaning a contract or agreement.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: pactPortuguese: pactuar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'acordar' and 'pactar'?

'Acordar' is more common for daily life (agreeing to meet for coffee), while 'pactar' implies a more formal negotiation, like a legal contract or a peace treaty.

Is 'pactar' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, like 'hablar' or 'cantar'.

Can 'pactar' be used for friends making plans?

It sounds a bit too serious or 'official' for friends. It's better to use 'quedar' or 'ponerse de acuerdo' for casual plans.