Learn to Conjugate the Spanish Verb Explicar (2023)

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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 lettercin Spanish is like the English "k" when it comes before an a, but it differs before an e. The pronunciation ofcbeforeeis 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."