Inklingo
Dictionary

participar

par-tee-see-PARpaɾtisiˈpaɾ

“participar” means “participate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

participateA2Verb

join an activity

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share inB2Verb

profits, ownership, or feelings

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participate, take partAlso: be involved

VerbA2regular ar
A colorful illustration showing three diverse children enthusiastically collaborating to build a tall wooden block tower together.
infinitiveparticipar
gerundparticipando
past Participleparticipado

📝 In Action

¿Vas a participar en la maratón de este año?

A2

Are you going to participate in this year's marathon?

Ella siempre participa activamente en las clases.

B1

She always takes an active part in the classes.

Todos los departamentos tienen que participar en la nueva estrategia.

B2

All departments have to be involved in the new strategy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • participar activamente – to participate actively
  • participar en un debate – to take part in a debate

share inAlso: have a stake, partake

VerbB2regular arformal
A simple storybook illustration of two people smiling as they share a single large slice of berry pie on a plate.
infinitiveparticipar
gerundparticipando
past Participleparticipado

📝 In Action

Los empleados participan de un porcentaje de las ganancias anuales.

B2

The employees share in a percentage of the annual profits.

Todos participamos de la tristeza que sentía la familia.

C1

We all shared in the sadness the family felt.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • participar de los beneficios – to share in the profits

Indicative

Present

yoparticipo
túparticipas
él/ella/ustedparticipa
nosotrosparticipamos
vosotrosparticipáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesparticipan

Imperfect

yoparticipaba
túparticipabas
él/ella/ustedparticipaba
nosotrosparticipábamos
vosotrosparticipabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesparticipaban

Preterite

yoparticipé
túparticipaste
él/ella/ustedparticipó
nosotrosparticipamos
vosotrosparticipasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesparticiparon

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoparticipe
túparticipes
él/ella/ustedparticipe
nosotrosparticipemos
vosotrosparticipéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesparticipen

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoparticipara
túparticiparas
él/ella/ustedparticipara
nosotrosparticipáramos
vosotrosparticiparais
ellos/ellas/ustedesparticiparan
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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "participar" in Spanish:

be involvedpartakeparticipateshare intake part

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: participar

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'participar' to mean 'to take part in an event'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
participación(participation, share (noun)) — Noun
participante(participant) — Noun
participativo(participatory (adjective)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
actuarcaminar
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin verb *participāre*, which means 'to take part' or 'to share.' It is a combination of *pars* (part) and *capere* (to take). So, the word literally means 'to take a part.'

First recorded: Medieval Latin

Cognates (Related words)

English: participateFrench: participer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'participar en' and 'participar de'?

'Participar en' means you are actively involved in an activity or event (like a game or a meeting). 'Participar de' usually means you are sharing or receiving a portion of something, like profits or a feeling, and is often more formal.