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presentar

preh-sehn-TAHRpɾesenˈtaɾ

to introduce

VerbA1regular ar
A simple illustration showing one person introducing two other people to each other with a welcoming gesture.
infinitivepresentar
gerundpresentando
past Participlepresentado

📝 In Action

Quiero presentarte a mi jefe.

A1

I want to introduce you to my boss.

¿Ya presentaste a tu novio a tus padres?

A2

Did you already introduce your boyfriend to your parents?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • introducir (to introduce (less common for people))

Common Collocations

  • presentar a alguien – to introduce someone

to submit, to hand in

Also: to file
VerbB1regular arformal
An illustration of a hand submitting a stack of official documents tied with a ribbon onto a large desk.
infinitivepresentar
gerundpresentando
past Participlepresentado

📝 In Action

Necesitas presentar la solicitud antes del viernes.

B1

You need to submit the application before Friday.

Mi abogado presentó las pruebas al juez.

B2

My lawyer presented the evidence to the judge (or submitted the evidence).

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • presentar documentos – to submit documents
  • presentar una queja – to file a complaint

to present, to host

Also: to display
VerbB2regular ar
A person standing on a small stage under a spotlight, presenting a new product in a colorful box to an unseen audience.
infinitivepresentar
gerundpresentando
past Participlepresentado

📝 In Action

El director presentará la nueva película la próxima semana.

B2

The director will present the new movie next week.

Ella presenta un programa de noticias por las mañanas.

B2

She hosts a news program in the mornings.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • presentar un informe – to present a report
  • presentar un espectáculo – to put on a show

to show up, to introduce oneself

Also: to run (for office)
VerbA2regular (reflexive) ar
A cartoon figure arriving, stepping through an open doorway and showing up at a location.
infinitivepresentarse
gerundpresentándose
past Participlepresentado

📝 In Action

Me presenté a la entrevista a tiempo.

A2

I showed up for the interview on time.

Permítame presentarme: soy Carmen.

A1

Allow me to introduce myself: I am Carmen.

El candidato se presentará en las próximas elecciones.

B2

The candidate will run in the next elections.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • ausentarse (to be absent)

Common Collocations

  • presentarse en la oficina – to show up at the office
  • presentarse como voluntario – to volunteer (present oneself as a volunteer)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedpresenta
yopresento
túpresentas
ellos/ellas/ustedespresentan
nosotrospresentamos
vosotrospresentáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpresentaba
yopresentaba
túpresentabas
ellos/ellas/ustedespresentaban
nosotrospresentábamos
vosotrospresentabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedpresentó
yopresenté
túpresentaste
ellos/ellas/ustedespresentaron
nosotrospresentamos
vosotrospresentasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedpresente
yopresente
túpresentes
ellos/ellas/ustedespresenten
nosotrospresentemos
vosotrospresentéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpresentara/presentase
yopresentara/presentase
túpresentaras/presentases
ellos/ellas/ustedespresentaran/presentasen
nosotrospresentáramos/presentásemos
vosotrospresentarais/presentaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: presentar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'presentar' to mean 'to show up'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin verb *praesentāre*, meaning 'to place before, exhibit, or show.' It combines *prae-* (before) and *esse* (to be). The core idea is literally 'to be before' someone or something.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: apresentarItalian: presentare

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'presentar' means 'introduce' or 'submit'?

Look at the direct object. If you are presenting a person to another person, it means 'introduce' (A1). If you are presenting a document, report, or application, it means 'submit' or 'hand in' (B1).

Is 'presentarse' always reflexive?

Yes. When used to mean 'to show up' or 'to introduce oneself,' it is always used with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, etc.). If you leave the pronoun off, the meaning changes entirely to hosting or submitting something.