realizar
“realizar” means “carry out” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
carry out, perform
Also: execute, conduct
📝 In Action
El equipo necesita realizar la prueba antes del viernes.
B1The team needs to carry out the test before Friday.
¿Cuándo van a realizar el pago?
B1When are they going to make the payment?
La policía realizó una investigación sobre el caso.
B2The police conducted an investigation into the case.
achieve, realize
Also: attain
📝 In Action
Esperamos realizar grandes beneficios este trimestre.
C1We hope to realize (make) great profits this quarter.
Finalmente, pudo realizar su sueño de viajar por el mundo.
B2He finally managed to realize his dream of traveling the world.
fulfill oneself
Also: be fulfilled
📝 In Action
Ella se realizó como artista después de muchos años de trabajo.
B2She fulfilled herself as an artist after many years of work.
Para muchos, viajar es una forma de realizarse.
B2For many, travel is a way of fulfilling oneself.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "realizar" in Spanish:
achieve→attain→be fulfilled→carry out→conduct→execute→fulfill oneself→perform→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: realizar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'realizar' correctly to mean 'to carry out a task'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Realizar' comes from the Spanish word 'real' (meaning 'real' or 'actual'), combined with the verb ending '-izar', which means 'to make' or 'to turn into'. Essentially, the word means 'to make something real' or 'to turn it into reality'.
First recorded: Around the 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'realizar' when I mean 'to realize' as in 'to understand'?
No, this is a very common false cognate! In Spanish, if you mean 'to realize' in the sense of 'to understand' or 'to notice,' you must use the phrase 'darse cuenta de.' Example: 'Me di cuenta de mi error' (I realized my mistake).
Is 'realizar' more formal than 'hacer'?
Yes. While both can sometimes mean 'to do' or 'to make,' 'realizar' is generally reserved for carrying out complex plans, studies, operations, or large-scale actions, making it sound more professional and formal than the everyday verb 'hacer'.