Inklingo
Dictionary

presentar

preh-sehn-TAHRpɾesenˈtaɾ

“presentar” means “to introduce” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:

to introduceA1Verb

a person to another person

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to submitB1Verb

documents, reports, or applications

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to presentB2Verb

a plan, show, or product

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to show upA2Verb

to arrive or appear

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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 inAlso: 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 hostAlso: 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 oneselfAlso: 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)

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "presentar" in Spanish:

to displayto fileto hostto introduceto presentto submit

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: presentar

Question 1 of 2

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

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
presentación(presentation/introduction) — Noun
presentador(a)(host/presenter) — Noun
presente(present (time/gift)) — Noun / Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
cantarhablar
📚 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.