Explicar means making information understandable to another person.

The idea

Use explico with yo; use a to name the person receiving the explanation.

Examples

  • Explico la ruta a mi amiga.I explain the route to my friend.
  • Ella explica la tarea a los estudiantes.She explains the task to the students.
  • Explicamos el problema al médico.We explain the problem to the doctor.
  • ¿Puedes explicar la pregunta otra vez?Can you explain the question again?
  • El conductor nos explica dónde parar.The driver explains to us where to stop.
  • Ayer expliqué la idea con un dibujo.Yesterday I explained the idea with a drawing.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

The yo past form is expliqué, with qu before e to keep the hard c sound.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the present form for yo: Yo ___ la ruta a mi amiga. (explico / explicas)

    Show answer or example answer

    explico

    Explico is the present form for yo.

  2. Choose the spelling of the past form: Ayer yo ___ la idea con un dibujo. (expliqué / explicé)

    Show answer or example answer

    expliqué

    Expliqué uses qu before e in the past form.

  3. Choose the action that makes the route clear: Doy detalles para que mi amiga entienda la ruta: voy a ___. (explicarla / ocultarla)

    Show answer or example answer

    explicarla

    Explicarla means explaining the route; ocultarla means hiding it.

Use it today

Explain a route to a friend and ask someone to explain a question again.