How to Say "to explain" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to explain” is “explicar” — use 'explicar' when you are providing details, reasons, or making something clear to someone, like a lesson or instructions..
explicar
ess-plee-CAR/eks.pliˈkaɾ/
Examples
El profesor explicó la lección de gramática muy lentamente.
The teacher explained the grammar lesson very slowly.
¿Puedes explicarme por qué llegaste tarde otra vez?
Can you explain to me why you arrived late again?
Necesitamos que nos expliques el plan antes de empezar.
We need you to explain the plan to us before starting.
Explaining to Whom
When you explain something to a person, that person is usually introduced with 'a' and often requires an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, les): 'Ella me explicó el problema' (She explained the problem to me).
Spelling Change for Sound
To keep the hard 'k' sound found in 'explicar', the 'c' changes to 'qu' when followed by 'e' (like in the 'yo' preterite: 'expliqué', or all subjunctive forms: 'explique').
Explaining 'about' something
Mistake: “Voy a explicar sobre el tema.”
Correction: Voy a explicar el tema. (The verb 'explicar' usually doesn't need 'sobre' or 'acerca de' when the topic is the direct object.)
definir
/deh-fee-neer//defiˈniɾ/
Examples
¿Puedes definir esta palabra en inglés?
Can you define this word in English?
El diccionario define los términos técnicos con claridad.
The dictionary defines the technical terms clearly.
Es difícil definir exactamente qué siento por ella.
It's hard to define exactly what I feel for her.
A Friendly Regular Verb
Unlike 'decir' (to say), 'definir' is completely regular. It follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ir.
Direct Objects
When you use this word, you usually need to name the thing you are defining right after it, like 'definir el problema' (to define the problem).
The 'decir' confusion
Mistake: “Yo defigo la palabra.”
Correction: Yo defino la palabra. Just because 'decir' changes to 'digo' doesn't mean 'definir' changes to 'defigo'!
justificar
/hoos-tee-fee-kar//xustifiˈkaɾ/
Examples
No puedes justificar tu mala conducta con el estrés.
You can't justify your bad behavior with stress.
Él intentó justificar por qué llegó tarde.
He tried to explain why he arrived late.
El fin no siempre justifica los medios.
The end doesn't always justify the means.
The 'C' to 'QU' Switch
When the letter 'c' is followed by an 'e', it changes to 'qu' to keep the hard 'K' sound. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past (justifiqué) and all command/wish forms (justifique).
Spelling the Past Tense
Mistake: “Yo justificé mi respuesta.”
Correction: Yo justifiqué mi respuesta. (Always use 'qu' before 'e' to keep the hard 'c' sound).
exponer
/ex-po-NAIR//eks.poˈneɾ/
Examples
El profesor expuso los motivos del examen.
The professor explained the reasons for the exam.
Permítame exponer mi punto de vista.
Allow me to state my point of view.
El abogado expuso las pruebas ante el juez.
The lawyer presented the evidence before the judge.
Formal Contexts
When you want to say 'I'd like to explain' in a business meeting, 'Quisiera exponer' sounds much more professional than 'Quiero explicar'.
ilustrar
/ee-loos-trahr//ilusˈtɾaɾ/
Examples
Permítame ilustrar mi punto con un ejemplo real.
Let me illustrate my point with a real example.
El profesor ilustró la teoría mediante un experimento.
The professor illustrated the theory by means of an experiment.
Esos datos sirven para ilustrar la gravedad de la situación.
Those facts serve to illustrate the gravity of the situation.
Abstract Subjects
Unlike the drawing definition, here the 'subject' doing the action can be an object or data. Example: 'Esta tabla ilustra el crecimiento' (This table illustrates the growth).
Misusing 'a'
Mistake: “Saying 'ilustrar a una idea'.”
Correction: Say 'ilustrar una idea'. You don't need the 'a' for abstract concepts.
Explicar vs. Definir
Related Translations
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