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purificar

poo-ree-fee-KAHR/puɾifiˈkaɾ/

to purify

Also: to filter, to refine
VerbB1regular with spelling change ar
A glass of crystal clear water being poured through a clean white filter into a bowl.
gerundpurificando
past Participlepurificado
infinitivepurificar

📝 In Action

Este filtro sirve para purificar el agua del grifo.

A2

This filter is used to purify tap water.

Las plantas en la oficina ayudan a purificar el aire de forma natural.

B1

The plants in the office help to purify the air naturally.

Es necesario purificar el metal antes de fabricar la joya.

B2

It is necessary to refine the metal before making the piece of jewelry.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • purificar el agua – to purify the water
  • purificar el aire – to purify the air
  • sistema para purificar – system for purifying

to cleanse

Also: to purge
VerbB2regular with spelling change arformal
A person standing under a bright, warm golden light with their arms open, looking peaceful.
gerundpurificando
past Participlepurificado
infinitivepurificar

📝 In Action

Muchos van al río para purificar su espíritu.

B1

Many go to the river to cleanse their spirit.

El ritual busca purificar el alma de los pecados pasados.

C1

The ritual seeks to cleanse the soul of past sins.

Intentó purificar su imagen pública con obras de caridad.

C2

He tried to redeem (purify) his public image with charitable works.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • santificar (to sanctify)
  • redimir (to redeem)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • purificar el alma – to cleanse the soul
  • purificar el espíritu – to cleanse the spirit

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespurificaran
yopurificara
túpurificaras
vosotrospurificarais
nosotrospurificáramos
él/ella/ustedpurificara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespurifiquen
yopurifique
túpurifiques
vosotrospurifiquéis
nosotrospurifiquemos
él/ella/ustedpurifique

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedespurificaron
yopurifiqué
túpurificaste
vosotrospurificasteis
nosotrospurificamos
él/ella/ustedpurificó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespurificaban
yopurificaba
túpurificabas
vosotrospurificabais
nosotrospurificábamos
él/ella/ustedpurificaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespurifican
yopurifico
túpurificas
vosotrospurificáis
nosotrospurificamos
él/ella/ustedpurifica
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "purificar" in Spanish:

to cleanse→to filter→to purge→to purify→to refine→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: purificar

Question 1 of 3

Which is the correct 'yo' form in the past (completed action)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
puro(pure) — Adjective
pureza(purity) — Noun
purificación(purification) — Noun
purificador(purifier) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'purificare', which combines 'purus' (pure) and 'facere' (to make or do). Essentially, it means 'to make pure'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: purifyFrench: purifierItalian: purificare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'purificar' an irregular verb?

Technically no, it follows regular -ar patterns, but it has a 'spelling change' (c to qu) in certain forms to keep the pronunciation consistent.

Can I use 'purificar' for cleaning my house?

Not usually. 'Purificar' is for deep cleaning contaminants (like water/air) or for spiritual reasons. For a house, use 'limpiar'.

What is a 'purificador'?

It is a noun meaning 'purifier,' like an 'aire purificador' (air purifier) or 'purificador de agua' (water purifier).