Abastecerse Conjugation in Spanish
abastecerse means "to stock up" in English, and it comes up when people talk about food for the winter, water at the market, firewood for the fireplace and medicines at the chemist's. This page gives you the complete conjugation of abastecerse in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. abastecerse is a Reflexive spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno. — "Every day, I stock up with food for the winter." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: abastecerse
- English: to stock up
- Verb type: Reflexive spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: abasteciendo
- Past participle: abastecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + abastecido)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of abastecerse with all six persons. The gerund is abasteciendo and the past participle is abastecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abastezco |
| tú | abasteces |
| él/ella/Ud. | abastece |
| nosotros/as | abastecemos |
| vosotros/as | abastecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abastecí |
| tú | abasteciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | abasteció |
| nosotros/as | abastecimos |
| vosotros/as | abastecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abastecía |
| tú | abastecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | abastecía |
| nosotros/as | abastecíamos |
| vosotros/as | abastecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abasteceré |
| tú | abastecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | abastecerá |
| nosotros/as | abasteceremos |
| vosotros/as | abasteceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abastecería |
| tú | abastecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | abastecería |
| nosotros/as | abasteceríamos |
| vosotros/as | abasteceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he abastecido |
| tú | has abastecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha abastecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos abastecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis abastecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han abastecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había abastecido |
| tú | habías abastecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había abastecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos abastecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais abastecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían abastecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré abastecido |
| tú | habrás abastecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá abastecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos abastecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis abastecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán abastecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría abastecido |
| tú | habrías abastecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría abastecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos abastecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais abastecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían abastecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abastezca |
| tú | abastezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | abastezca |
| nosotros/as | abastezcamos |
| vosotros/as | abastecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abasteciera |
| tú | abastecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | abasteciera |
| nosotros/as | abasteciéramos |
| vosotros/as | abastecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | abastece |
| él/ella/Ud. | abastezca |
| nosotros/as | abastezcamos |
| vosotros/as | abasteced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | abastezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | abastezca |
| nosotros/as | abastezcamos |
| vosotros/as | abastecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abastezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about abastecerse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of abastecerse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno. — "Every day, I stock up with food for the winter." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is abastezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example abastezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of abastecerse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me abastecí de agua en el mercado. — "Yesterday, I stocked up with water at the market." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of abastecerse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me abastecía de leña para la chimenea. — "In the past, I used to stock up with firewood for the fireplace." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of abastecerse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos abasteceremos de medicinas en la farmacia. — "Tomorrow, we will stock up with medicines at the chemist's." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of abastecerse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te abastecerías de comida para el invierno. — "If you could, you would stock up with food for the winter." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of abastecerse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he abastecido de agua en el mercado. — "I have stocked up with water at the market." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of abastecerse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había abastecido de leña para la chimenea. — "Before the party, I had stocked up with firewood for the fireplace." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of abastecerse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré abastecido de medicinas en la farmacia. — "By tomorrow, I will have stocked up with medicines at the chemist's." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of abastecerse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría abastecido de comida para el invierno. — "If I had been able to, I would have stocked up with food for the winter." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of abastecerse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se abastezca de agua en el mercado. — "I hope that he/she stocks up with water at the market." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is abastezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example abastezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of abastecerse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se abasteciera de leña para la chimenea, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she stocked up with firewood for the fireplace, everything would turn out better." For abastecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem abastec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of abastecerse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se abastezca de medicinas en la farmacia! — "Let him/her stock up with medicines at the chemist's!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is abastezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example abastezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of abastecerse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te abastezcas de comida para el invierno. — "Do not stock up with food for the winter." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is abastezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example abastezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: abastecerse in real sentences
Ten sentences with abastecerse, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno. — "Every day, I stock up with food for the winter." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me abastecí de agua en el mercado. — "Yesterday, I stocked up with water at the market." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me abastecía de leña para la chimenea. — "In the past, I used to stock up with firewood for the fireplace." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos abasteceremos de medicinas en la farmacia. — "Tomorrow, we will stock up with medicines at the chemist's." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te abastecerías de comida para el invierno. — "If you could, you would stock up with food for the winter." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he abastecido de agua en el mercado. — "I have stocked up with water at the market." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se abastezca de leña para la chimenea. — "I hope that he/she stocks up with firewood for the fireplace." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se abasteciera de medicinas en la farmacia, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she stocked up with medicines at the chemist's, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te abastezcas de comida para el invierno! — "Do not stock up with food for the winter!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy abasteciendo de agua en el mercado. — "Now, I am stocking up with water at the market." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with abastecerse
The errors learners actually make with abastecerse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo abastezco de comida para el invierno.
- Right: Yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno.
- Why: abastecerse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno.. Without me the sentence is incomplete, and it sounds as if the action happens to someone else.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo me abasteco de comida para el invierno.
- Right: Yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is abastezco, never abasteco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (abastezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo me abastezco de agua en el mercado.
- Right: Ayer, yo me abastecí de agua en el mercado.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo me abastecí de agua en el mercado. — "Yesterday, I stocked up with water at the market."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy abastecido de leña para la chimenea.
- Right: Me estoy abasteciendo de leña para la chimenea.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund abasteciendo for the progressive. The participle abastecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he abastecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros nos abastece de comida para el invierno.
- Right: Nosotros nos abastecemos de comida para el invierno.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes abastecemos, while abastece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: abastecerse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on abastecerse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of abastecerse in the present tense?
- (a) abastece
- (b) abastecemos
- (c) abastezco
- (d) abasteces
Answer: (c) abastezco. The yo form is abastezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of abastecerse in the present tense?
- (a) abastecemos
- (b) abasteces
- (c) abastezco
- (d) abastece
Answer: (b) abasteces. The tú form is abasteces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of abastecerse in the present tense?
- (a) abastece
- (b) abastezco
- (c) abasteces
- (d) abastecemos
Answer: (a) abastece. The él/ella form is abastece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of abastecerse in the present tense?
- (a) abastezco
- (b) abasteces
- (c) abastece
- (d) abastecemos
Answer: (d) abastecemos. The nosotros form is abastecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of abastecerse in the present tense?
- (a) abasteces
- (b) abastece
- (c) abastecen
- (d) abastezco
Answer: (c) abastecen. The ellos/ellas form is abastecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of abastecerse?
- (a) abastezco
- (b) abastecerse
- (c) abasteciendo
- (d) abastecido
Answer: (c) abasteciendo. The gerund is abasteciendo, used for the progressive: me estoy abasteciendo.
7. What is the past participle of abastecerse?
- (a) abastecerse
- (b) abastecido
- (c) abasteciendo
- (d) abastecí
Answer: (b) abastecido. The past participle is abastecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he abastecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ de comida para el invierno.
- (a) abastezco
- (b) abasteces
- (c) abastece
- (d) abastecemos
Answer: (a) abastezco. The sentence needs the yo form abastezco (Every day, I stock up with food for the winter.)
9. What is the yo form of abastecerse in the preterite?
- (a) abasteciste
- (b) abasteció
- (c) abastecimos
- (d) abastecí
Answer: (d) abastecí. The yo preterite is abastecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ de leña para la chimenea.
- (a) abastecáis
- (b) abastezca
- (c) abastezcas
- (d) abastezcamos
Answer: (b) abastezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is abastezca.
Frequently asked questions about abastecerse
Is abastecerse regular?
Almost. abastecerse is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is abastezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example abastezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does abastecerse mean, and when do I use it?
abastecerse means "to stock up" in English. Use it when you talk about food for the winter, water at the market, firewood for the fireplace and medicines at the chemist's — for example: Yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno. — "I stock up with food for the winter." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno. — "I stock up with food for the winter." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is abastecerse reflexive?
Yes. abastecerse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno. — "I stock up with food for the winter." If you drop the pronoun, the sentence is incomplete. The pronoun goes before the conjugated verb, and it attaches to the end of the gerund and of affirmative imperatives.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with abastecerse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me abastezco de comida para el invierno. — "I stock up with food for the winter." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me abastecí de comida para el invierno. — "Yesterday, I stocked up with food for the winter." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.