Spanish Verb Explicar Conjugation

The conjugation of explicar, which means to explain, follows the regular -ar pattern, but is irregular in terms of spelling. You can see how this rule applies in the conjugated forms shown below: the present, preterite, imperfect, and future tenses in the indicative mood; the present and imperfect tenses in the subjunctive mood; the imperative mood; the past participle; and the gerund.

Explicar Conjugation and Pronunciation

The pronunciation of the letter c in Spanish is like the English "k" when it comes before an a, but it differs before an e. The pronunciation of c before e is similar to the English "s" in most of Latin America, and an unvoiced "th" in most of Spain. 

In writing, the c changes to qu when an e follows the stem. In other words, regular conjugated forms that would result in a spelling beginning with explice- or explicé- become explique- or expliqué-, respectively.

Many verbs ending in -car follow the same pattern as explicar. Among the most common are buscar (to seek), marcar (to mark), secar (to dry), tocar (to touch), and ubicar (to locate).

Although "to explain" is by far the most common translation of explicar, other possibilities include "to expound" and "to teach." The reflexive form explicarse means to explain oneself.

Explicar Present Indicative

The Spanish simple present tense is more versatile than the English simple present. It can be the equivalent of English forms such as "she explains," "she is explaining," and "she does explain."

Explicar Preterite

The preterite is one of the two simple past tenses. It is used similarly to the English past tense.

Imperfect Indicative Form of Explicar

The imperfect is the other simple past tense. It is similar in usage to the "used to + verb" or "was/were + verb + -ing" forms in English.

Explicar Future Tense

Periphrastic Future of Explicar

The periphrastic future is a colloquial substitute for the simple future and can be used in all but highly formal contexts.

Present Progressive/Gerund Form of Explicar

Gerunds are used to form the progressive tenses.

Gerund of Explicar: explicando

explaining -> Usted está explicando lo que ocurrió.

Past Participle of Explicar

The past participle is used to form the perfect tenses. It can also function as an adjective. For example, an unexplained variation is una variación no explicada.

Participle of Explicar: explicado

explained -> Usted ha explicado lo que ocurrió.

Conditional Form of Explicar

In Spanish, conditional-tense verbs are closely related to the future. Both conjugations are formed by adding an ending to the infinitive.

Present Subjunctive of Explicar

The subjunctive mood is used much more often in Spanish than in English. Note that all the present subjunctive forms of explicar are irregular in their spelling.

Imperfect Subjunctive Forms of Explicar

Although Spanish once distinguished between these two types of the imperfect subjunctive, today their use is equally valid. The first option is used more frequently.

Option 1

Option 2

Imperative Forms of Explicar

Imperative (Positive Command)

Imperative (Negative Command)