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pactar

pahk-TAR/pakˈtaɾ/

“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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

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

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespactan
yopacto
túpactas
vosotrospactáis
nosotrospactamos
él/ella/ustedpacta
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.