to sing
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Mi abuela canta boleros en la cocina.
My grandmother sings boleros in the kitchen.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Canté en la boda de mi hermana.
I sang at my sister's wedding.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Los niños cantaban en la iglesia.
The kids used to sing in church.
Futuro · What will happen
Le cantaremos cumpleaños feliz a la abuela.
We'll sing happy birthday to Grandma.
Condicional · What would happen
Yo cantaría, pero tengo muy mala voz.
I'd sing, but I have a terrible voice.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
Celia Cruz ha cantado en muchos países.
Celia Cruz has sung in many countries.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ella nunca había cantado en público.
She had never sung in public.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para las once ya habrán cantado.
By eleven they will have sung.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Yo habría cantado esa canción.
I would have sung that song.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Quiero que cantes esa canción de Pablo Milanés.
I want you to sing that Pablo Milanés song.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Pedimos que ella cantara otra.
We asked her to sing another one.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Me gustaría que cantasen en la boda.
I'd like them to sing at the wedding.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
No creo que haya cantado nunca.
I don't think she has ever sung.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubieras cantado, habrías ganado el concurso.
If you had sung, you would have won the contest.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Canta más alto, no te oigo.
Sing louder, I can't hear you.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No cantes en la ducha tan temprano.
Don't sing in the shower so early.