practicar
/prak-ti-KAR/
to practice
Practicing (a skill, sport, or language).
practicar(verb)
to practice
?a skill, sport, or language
,to rehearse
?a performance or presentation
📝 In Action
Necesitas practicar la guitarra todos los días para mejorar.
A2You need to practice the guitar every day to improve.
Ellos están practicando su presentación para mañana.
B1They are rehearsing their presentation for tomorrow.
¿Practicas algún deporte?
A2Do you play/practice any sport?
💡 Grammar Points
Spelling Change for Sound
In the preterite 'yo' form and all subjunctive forms, the 'c' changes to 'qu' (e.g., 'yo practiqué', 'que yo practique'). This is only to keep the hard 'k' sound.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Practicar' and 'Tocar'
Mistake: "Using 'tocar' for practicing a sport or skill (e.g., *tocar fútbol*)."
Correction: Use 'practicar' for skills/sports ('practicar fútbol'). Use 'tocar' only for playing musical instruments or touching objects.
⭐ Usage Tips
Implied Skill
You often don't need the word 'skill' or 'ability'; saying 'practicar el español' is enough to mean 'practice speaking Spanish'.
Observing (a religion or custom).
practicar(verb)
to observe
?a religion or custom
,to engage in
?a trade or activity
,to carry out
?a policy or measure
📝 In Action
Ella practica la medicina en una clínica rural.
B1She practices medicine in a rural clinic.
Mi familia practica la religión católica.
B1My family observes/practices the Catholic religion.
El gobierno decidió practicar una nueva política económica.
C1The government decided to carry out a new economic policy.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Usage
When talking about professions or official procedures, 'practicar' implies applying knowledge or power, similar to 'to exercise' or 'to perform'.
Performing (surgery or an autopsy).
practicar(verb)
to perform
?surgery, an autopsy
,to conduct
?an inspection or investigation
,to administer
?an injection or test
📝 In Action
El cirujano debe practicar la operación esta tarde.
C1The surgeon must perform the operation this afternoon.
La policía practicó un registro en la casa del sospechoso.
C2The police conducted a search of the suspect's house.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Procedures
In formal Spanish, 'practicar' is often preferred over 'hacer' (to do) when referring to carrying out official or technical procedures.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: practicar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'practicar' in the sense of performing a formal procedure?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'practicar' different from 'entrenar'?
'Practicar' means to do something repeatedly to gain skill (like playing piano). 'Entrenar' means to train, usually focusing on physical conditioning or specific instruction for a competition or job.
Can I use 'practicar' for practicing my job, like a lawyer?
Yes, absolutely. The phrase 'practicar la abogacía' (to practice law) is very common, using the B1/C1 meaning of performing a profession.