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transformar

trahns-for-MAHRtɾansfoɾˈmaɾ

“transformar” means “to transform” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to transform

Also: to change, to reshape
VerbB1regular ar
A green caterpillar on a leaf turning into a colorful butterfly with bright wings.
gerundtransformando
past Participletransformado
infinitivetransformar

📝 In Action

El artista quiere transformar el metal en una obra de arte.

A2

The artist wants to transform the metal into a work of art.

Las nuevas tecnologías van a transformar nuestra manera de vivir.

B1

New technologies are going to transform our way of living.

Ella logró transformar su pequeño negocio en una gran empresa.

B2

She managed to transform her small business into a large company.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • transformar por completo – to completely transform
  • transformar en realidad – to turn into reality

to convert

Also: to process
VerbB2regular ar
A bright yellow sun shining onto a blue solar panel which is powering a glowing lightbulb.
gerundtransformando
past Participletransformado
infinitivetransformar

📝 In Action

Las placas solares transforman la luz en electricidad.

B1

Solar panels convert light into electricity.

Este software puede transformar archivos PDF a Word.

B2

This software can convert PDF files to Word.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • transformar energía – to convert energy

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yotransformara
tútransformaras
él/ella/ustedtransformara
nosotrostransformáramos
vosotrostransformarais
ellos/ellas/ustedestransformaran

Present Subjunctive

yotransforme
tútransformes
él/ella/ustedtransforme
nosotrostransformemos
vosotrostransforméis
ellos/ellas/ustedestransformen

Indicative

Preterite

yotransformé
tútransformaste
él/ella/ustedtransformó
nosotrostransformamos
vosotrostransformasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedestransformaron

Imperfect

yotransformaba
tútransformabas
él/ella/ustedtransformaba
nosotrostransformábamos
vosotrostransformabais
ellos/ellas/ustedestransformaban

Present

yotransformo
tútransformas
él/ella/ustedtransforma
nosotrostransformamos
vosotrostransformáis
ellos/ellas/ustedestransforman
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "transformar" in Spanish:

to change→to convert→to process→to reshape→to transform→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: transformar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly says 'He transforms the water into wine'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
transformación(transformation) — Noun
transformador(transformer / transforming) — Noun
transformable(changeable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'transformare', where 'trans-' means 'across/beyond' and 'formare' means 'to form'. Literally, it means to go beyond the original form.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: transformFrench: transformerPortuguese: transformar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'transformar' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar, so it is very easy to conjugate once you know the basic rules.

What is the difference between 'transformar' and 'convertir'?

They are very similar. 'Transformar' focuses more on the change of shape, form, or character, while 'convertir' often implies a change in purpose, function, or religion.

How do I say 'The caterpillar transformed into a butterfly'?

You use the 'self' form (reflexive): 'La oruga se transformó en mariposa'.