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purificar

poo-ree-fee-KAHRpuɾifiˈkaɾ

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

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

yopurifico
túpurificas
él/ella/ustedpurifica
nosotrospurificamos
vosotrospurificáis
ellos/ellas/ustedespurifican
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).