verificar
/beh-ree-fee-KAHR/
to check
Verificar can mean 'to check' or 'to verify' accuracy, like confirming something is correct.
verificar(verb)
to check
?confirming accuracy or status
,to verify
?ensuring something is correct
to test
?checking if something works
,to validate
?confirming legality or authenticity
📝 In Action
Por favor, verifica tu correo electrónico para activar la cuenta.
A2Please check your email to activate the account.
El sistema tiene que verificar tu contraseña.
B1The system needs to verify your password.
Debemos verificar los datos antes de publicar el informe.
B2We must verify the data before publishing the report.
💡 Grammar Points
The Spelling Swap
In the 'I' form of the past (preterite) and in all 'wish' forms (subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This is just to keep the hard 'K' sound: 'verifiqué' instead of 'verificé'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Verificar vs. Revisar
Mistake: "Using 'verificar' when you just want to look over something casually."
Correction: Use 'revisar' for browsing or reviewing, and 'verificar' when you specifically need to prove something is correct or true.
⭐ Usage Tips
Digital context
Whenever you see 'Verify' on a website or app in English, the Spanish version will almost always use 'verificar'.
Verificar can also mean 'to take place' or 'to happen' when referring to an event.
📝 In Action
La reunión se verificará en el salón principal.
C1The meeting will take place in the main hall.
⭐ Usage Tips
Highly Formal
You will rarely hear this in conversation. If you want to say something is happening, use 'pasar' or 'ocurrir' instead.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
present
imperfect
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: verificar
Question 1 of 2
How do you say 'I verified' (past tense) in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'verificar' used the same way as 'check' in English?
Mostly, but 'check' is much broader. In Spanish, use 'verificar' for confirming facts or security, but use 'revisar' to 'check' your homework or 'mirar' to 'check' the time.
Why is it sometimes 'verificarse'?
When it's used reflexively (with 'se'), it usually means 'to take place' or 'to happen' in very formal contexts, like an official event occurring.