refieres
/reh-fee-EH-res/
you refer
When you are mentioning something specific, you refer to it.
refieres(verb)
you refer
?when mentioning something
,you relate
?you recount
you are referring
?continuous action
📝 In Action
Si refieres esta historia a un amigo, ¿la contarás igual?
B2If you recount this story to a friend, will you tell it the same way?
Cuando refieres los hechos, ¿de qué fecha hablas exactamente?
B1When you refer to the facts, what date exactly are you talking about?
💡 Grammar Points
Tú Form
This 'refieres' form is only used when the subject of the action is 'tú' (the informal 'you').
Vowel Change (e > ie)
The verb 'referir' is irregular. The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' (referir -> refieres) in almost all present tense conjugations, except for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "¿Tú referes a ese problema?"
Correction: ¿Tú **refieres** a ese problema? Remember the 'e' becomes 'ie' when stressed.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'refieres' only with people you call 'tú.' For a formal setting, use 'refiere' (usted form).
When you ask what someone is talking about, you are asking what they mean.
refieres(verb)
you mean
?when asking what someone is talking about
,you are talking about
?what is the subject of discussion
you pertain to
?formal connection to a topic
📝 In Action
¿A qué te refieres? No entiendo el contexto.
A2What do you mean? I don't understand the context.
Si te refieres a mi jefe, no está aquí hoy.
B1If you are talking about my boss, he is not here today.
💡 Grammar Points
Always with 'A'
When using 'referirse' to talk about a topic, it must always be followed by the preposition 'a' (to). Example: 'Me refiero a la reunión de ayer'.
Pronominal Use
In this context, 'referir' is used with a reflexive pronoun ('me, te, se, nos'). Since the subject is 'tú,' you must use 'te' before 'refieres'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the Preposition
Mistake: "¿A qué te refieres el problema?"
Correction: ¿A qué te refieres **con** el problema? (or more commonly, just ending with 'a qué te refieres'). You need the preposition 'a' to connect the verb to the topic.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking for Clarification
Memorize the phrase '¿A qué te refieres?' It is the standard, polite way to ask, 'What are you talking about?' or 'Could you explain that?'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: refieres
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'refieres' in its most common conversational context?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'refieres' have an 'ie' but 'nosotros referimos' doesn't?
'Referir' is a stem-changing verb (e > ie). This change only happens in the vowel that receives the stress when you say the word. Since the stress falls on the 'ie' in 'refieres' but falls on the 'i' in 'refeRImos,' the 'ie' change is dropped for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.
Is 'referir' always followed by 'a'?
Yes, in the highly common pronominal form 'referirse,' the verb must be followed by 'a' to indicate the subject you are referring *to* (e.g., 'me refiero a eso' - I refer to that).