to explain
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Te explico cómo llegar a mi casa.
I'll explain how to get to my house.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Le expliqué el problema al mecánico.
I explained the problem to the mechanic.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
La maestra explicaba todo con paciencia.
The teacher explained everything patiently.
Futuro · What will happen
El guía explicará la historia de la ciudad.
The guide will explain the history of the city.
Condicional · What would happen
¿Me explicarías esta palabra?
Would you explain this word to me?
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
El doctor me ha explicado los resultados.
The doctor has explained the results to me.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ya me habían explicado las reglas.
They had already explained the rules to me.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para mañana ya les habremos explicado todo.
By tomorrow we will have explained everything to them.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Te lo habría explicado mejor en persona.
I would have explained it better in person.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Quiero que me expliques qué pasó.
I want you to explain to me what happened.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Le pedimos que explicara el contrato.
We asked him to explain the contract.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Pedí que me explicasen la cuenta.
I asked them to explain the bill to me.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
No creo que haya explicado bien el tema.
I don't think she has explained the topic well.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si me lo hubieras explicado, lo habría entendido.
If you had explained it to me, I would have understood.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Explica tu idea con calma.
Explain your idea calmly.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No expliques tanto, ve al grano.
Don't explain so much, get to the point.