realizar
/rreh-ah-lee-SAR/
carry out
Realizar, meaning 'carry out' a task or operation.
realizar(verb)
carry out
?a task or operation
,perform
?an action or activity
execute
?a plan or order
,conduct
?an investigation or study
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Spelling Change for Sound
In the preterite 'yo' form and all present subjunctive forms, the 'z' changes to a 'c' (realicé, realice) to keep the soft 's' sound before 'e'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
False Cognate Alert
Mistake: "Using 'realizar' when you mean 'to notice' or 'to understand' (the English 'to realize')."
Correction: Use 'darse cuenta de' instead. For example, 'Me di cuenta de que llovía' (I realized it was raining).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Action Verb
'Realizar' often sounds more official or formal than synonyms like 'hacer' (to do/make). It's great for business or reports.
Realizar, meaning 'achieve' a goal or objective.
realizar(verb)
achieve
?a goal or objective
,realize
?a profit or potential
attain
?a high level
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Focus on Outcome
In this sense, 'realizar' focuses on the successful completion or manifestation of something that was previously just an idea or a goal.
Realizar, meaning 'fulfill oneself' or achieve personal potential.
realizar(verb)
fulfill oneself
?achieve one's personal potential
be fulfilled
?feel satisfied with one's life
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the 'Se'
When 'realizar' is used reflexively ('realizarse'), it means the subject is performing the action on themselves, often translating to 'to fulfill oneself' or 'to become realized'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: realizar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'realizar' correctly to mean 'to carry out a task'?
📚 More Resources
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'.