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A lone figure kneeling on the ground with their hands pressed together in a desperate, pleading posture.

suplico

soo-PLEE-koh

Verb (1st person singular present indicative)B1regular (-car verb with spelling change in preterite and subjunctive) ar
I beg?making a desperate or heartfelt request,I implore?making a very serious request
Also:I plead?in a legal or emotional sense

Quick Reference

infinitivesuplicar
gerundsuplicando
past Participlesuplicado

📝 In Action

Te suplico que me escuches, es la última vez que lo pido.

B1

I beg you to listen to me; this is the last time I ask.

Suplico a mis padres que me permitan ir al viaje.

B2

I implore my parents to allow me to go on the trip.

Suplico clemencia por mis errores pasados.

B2

I plead for clemency for my past mistakes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rogar (to beg)
  • implorar (to implore)
  • pedir (to ask (less formal))

Antonyms

  • ordenar (to order/command)
  • exigir (to demand)

Common Collocations

  • suplico perdón – I beg for forgiveness
  • suplico ayuda – I plead for help

💡 Grammar Points

Verbs Ending in -car

The verb 'suplicar' (to beg) must maintain its hard 'k' sound. When the ending starts with 'e' (like in the preterite 'yo' form or the whole present subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This is a very common pattern for all -car verbs!

Stronger than 'Pedir'

Use 'suplico' when you are making a request under extreme emotional distress or formality. It shows desperation, whereas 'pido' is just a normal request.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Formality

Mistake: "Suplico un vaso de agua. (I beg for a glass of water.)"

Correction: Pido un vaso de agua. ('Suplico' is too intense for a simple request like water, unless you are dying of thirst in the desert!)

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'Yo' Form

Remember that 'suplico' only means 'I beg/I plead.' If you want to talk about someone else, use 'suplica' (he/she/it begs) or 'suplican' (they beg).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: suplico

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'suplico' to show a strong, desperate request?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

suplicar(to beg/implore) - verb
súplica(plea/supplication) - noun
suplicante(imploring (adj.), petitioner (noun)) - adjective/noun

Frequently Asked Questions

If 'suplico' means 'I beg,' how do I say 'He begs'?

You would use the third-person form: 'suplica.' For example, 'Él suplica por una segunda oportunidad' (He begs for a second chance).

Why does the spelling change in some of the conjugations of the root verb *suplicar*?

The spelling changes (c to qu) are purely for sound. Spanish rules require the 'c' to change to 'qu' before the vowels 'e' or 'i' to ensure the 'k' sound is maintained, otherwise it would sound like an 's' sound (like in 'cebolla').