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usar

oo-SARuˈsaɾ

to use

Also: to utilize, to employ
VerbA1regular ar
A cartoon person using a red hammer to hit a nail into a wooden board, demonstrating the act of using a tool.
infinitiveusar
gerundusando
past Participleusado

📝 In Action

Uso mi teléfono para llamar a mis amigos.

A1

I use my phone to call my friends.

¿Puedo usar tu bolígrafo un momento?

A1

Can I use your pen for a moment?

Para este postre, usamos tres huevos y mucha azúcar.

A2

For this dessert, we use three eggs and a lot of sugar.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • usar la computadora – to use the computer
  • usar el sentido común – to use common sense
  • usar una herramienta – to use a tool

to wear

Also: to have on
VerbA2regular ar
SpainLatin America
A simple cartoon character with large, round blue glasses on their face, illustrating the act of wearing an accessory.
infinitiveusar
gerundusando
past Participleusado

📝 In Action

Hoy uso una chaqueta roja porque hace frío.

A2

I'm wearing a red jacket today because it's cold.

Mi abuelo ya no usa sombrero.

A2

My grandfather doesn't wear a hat anymore.

¿Qué perfume usas? Huele muy bien.

B1

What perfume are you wearing? It smells very good.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • usar gafas – to wear glasses
  • usar un vestido – to wear a dress
  • usar zapatos cómodos – to wear comfortable shoes

to be in fashion

Also: to be customary, to be in use
B2regular ar
A line of three different cartoon people, all wearing identical, bright yellow neck scarves, symbolizing a popular or customary trend.
infinitiveusarse
gerundusándose
past Participleusado

📝 In Action

En los años 80 se usaban los peinados con mucho volumen.

B2

In the 80s, hairstyles with a lot of volume were in fashion.

Ya no se usa mandar cartas por correo.

B1

It's no longer customary to send letters by mail.

En mi pueblo se usa cenar muy tarde.

B2

In my town, it's customary to have dinner very late.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • estilarse (to be in style)
  • estar de moda (to be in fashion)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedusa
youso
túusas
ellos/ellas/ustedesusan
nosotrosusamos
vosotrosusáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedusaba
yousaba
túusabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesusaban
nosotrosusábamos
vosotrosusabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedusó
yousé
túusaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesusaron
nosotrosusamos
vosotrosusasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteduse
youse
túuses
ellos/ellas/ustedesusen
nosotrosusemos
vosotrosuséis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedusara
yousara
túusaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesusaran
nosotrosusáramos
vosotrosusarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "usar" in Spanish:

to employ→to use→to utilize→to wear→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: usar

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'usar' to mean 'to wear'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'ūsārī', which is a form of the verb 'ūtī', meaning 'to use, to make use of, to employ'. It has kept its core meaning for thousands of years!

First recorded: Around the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: usarItalian: usareFrench: user

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the real difference between 'usar' and 'llevar' for clothes?

Honestly, for 'to wear', they are very often interchangeable. Think of it like 'to begin' vs. 'to start' in English. 'Llevar' is very common in Spain, while 'usar' is very common in Latin America. If you're ever unsure, 'usar' is a safe and universally understood choice for 'to wear'.

Can I use 'usar' for people?

Be very careful! Saying you 'use' a person ('usar a una persona') has a strong negative meaning, implying you are manipulating or taking advantage of them. It's best to avoid it unless that is exactly what you mean.