Ablandar Conjugation in Spanish
ablandar means "to soften" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the butter in the kitchen, the meat with the hammer, his father's heart and the wax with the heat. This page gives you the complete conjugation of ablandar 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. ablandar is a regular -ar 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 ablando la mantequilla en la cocina. — "Every day, I soften the butter in the kitchen." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: ablandar
- English: to soften
- Verb type: regular -ar verb
- Gerund: ablandando
- Past participle: ablandado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + ablandado)
Full conjugation table
Every tense of ablandar with all six persons. The gerund is ablandando and the past participle is ablandado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | ablando |
| tú | ablandas |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablanda |
| nosotros/as | ablandamos |
| vosotros/as | ablandáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablandan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | ablandé |
| tú | ablandaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablandó |
| nosotros/as | ablandamos |
| vosotros/as | ablandasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablandaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | ablandaba |
| tú | ablandabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablandaba |
| nosotros/as | ablandábamos |
| vosotros/as | ablandabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablandaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | ablandaré |
| tú | ablandarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablandará |
| nosotros/as | ablandaremos |
| vosotros/as | ablandaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablandarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | ablandaría |
| tú | ablandarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablandaría |
| nosotros/as | ablandaríamos |
| vosotros/as | ablandaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablandarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he ablandado |
| tú | has ablandado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha ablandado |
| nosotros/as | hemos ablandado |
| vosotros/as | habéis ablandado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han ablandado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había ablandado |
| tú | habías ablandado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había ablandado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos ablandado |
| vosotros/as | habíais ablandado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían ablandado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré ablandado |
| tú | habrás ablandado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá ablandado |
| nosotros/as | habremos ablandado |
| vosotros/as | habréis ablandado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán ablandado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría ablandado |
| tú | habrías ablandado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría ablandado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos ablandado |
| vosotros/as | habríais ablandado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían ablandado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | ablande |
| tú | ablandes |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablande |
| nosotros/as | ablandemos |
| vosotros/as | ablandéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablanden |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | ablandara |
| tú | ablandaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablandara |
| nosotros/as | ablandáramos |
| vosotros/as | ablandarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablandaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | ablanda |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablande |
| nosotros/as | ablandemos |
| vosotros/as | ablandad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablanden |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | ablandes |
| él/ella/Ud. | ablande |
| nosotros/as | ablandemos |
| vosotros/as | ablandéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | ablanden |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about ablandar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of ablandar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo ablando la mantequilla en la cocina. — "Every day, I soften the butter in the kitchen." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- plus the usual endings. 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 ablandar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo ablandé la carne con el martillo. — "Yesterday, I softened the meat with the hammer." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo ablandaba el corazón de su padre. — "In the past, I used to soften his father's heart." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros ablandaremos la cera con el calor. — "Tomorrow, we will soften the wax with the heat." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú ablandarías la mantequilla en la cocina. — "If you could, you would soften the butter in the kitchen." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he ablandado la carne con el martillo. — "I have softened the meat with the hammer." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había ablandado el corazón de su padre. — "Before the party, I had softened his father's heart." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré ablandado la cera con el calor. — "By tomorrow, I will have softened the wax with the heat." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría ablandado la mantequilla en la cocina. — "If I had been able to, I would have softened the butter in the kitchen." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él ablande la carne con el martillo. — "I hope that he/she softens the meat with the hammer." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- plus the usual endings. 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 ablandar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él ablandara el corazón de su padre, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she softened his father's heart, everything would turn out better." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- 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 ablandar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Ablanda la cera con el calor! — "Soften the wax with the heat!" For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of ablandar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No ablandes la mantequilla en la cocina. — "Do not soften the butter in the kitchen." For ablandar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abland- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: ablandar in real sentences
Ten sentences with ablandar, 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 ablando la mantequilla en la cocina. — "Every day, I soften the butter in the kitchen." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo ablandé la carne con el martillo. — "Yesterday, I softened the meat with the hammer." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo ablandaba el corazón de su padre. — "In the past, I used to soften his father's heart." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros ablandaremos la cera con el calor. — "Tomorrow, we will soften the wax with the heat." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú ablandarías la mantequilla en la cocina. — "If you could, you would soften the butter in the kitchen." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he ablandado la carne con el martillo. — "I have softened the meat with the hammer." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él ablande el corazón de su padre. — "I hope that he/she softens his father's heart." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él ablandara la cera con el calor, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she softened the wax with the heat, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Ablanda la mantequilla en la cocina! — "Soften the butter in the kitchen!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy ablandando la carne con el martillo. — "Now, I am softening the meat with the hammer." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with ablandar
The errors learners actually make with ablandar, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me ablando la mantequilla en la cocina.
- Right: Yo ablando la mantequilla en la cocina.
- Why: ablandar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo ablando la mantequilla en la cocina. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros ablandais la mantequilla en la cocina.
- Right: Vosotros ablandáis la mantequilla en la cocina.
- Why: The vosotros form ablandáis carries a written accent. Without it the word is misspelled, and in writing the accent is part of the form.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo ablando la carne con el martillo.
- Right: Ayer, yo ablandé la carne con el martillo.
- 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 ablandé la carne con el martillo. — "Yesterday, I softened the meat with the hammer."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy ablandado el corazón de su padre.
- Right: Estoy ablandando el corazón de su padre.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund ablandando for the progressive. The participle ablandado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he ablandado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros ablanda la mantequilla en la cocina.
- Right: Nosotros ablandamos la mantequilla en la cocina.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes ablandamos, while ablanda belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: ablandar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on ablandar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of ablandar in the present tense?
- (a) ablandas
- (b) ablanda
- (c) ablandamos
- (d) ablando
Answer: (d) ablando. The yo form is ablando. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of ablandar in the present tense?
- (a) ablanda
- (b) ablandamos
- (c) ablandas
- (d) ablando
Answer: (c) ablandas. The tú form is ablandas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of ablandar in the present tense?
- (a) ablandamos
- (b) ablanda
- (c) ablando
- (d) ablandas
Answer: (b) ablanda. The él/ella form is ablanda. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of ablandar in the present tense?
- (a) ablandamos
- (b) ablando
- (c) ablandas
- (d) ablanda
Answer: (a) ablandamos. The nosotros form is ablandamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of ablandar in the present tense?
- (a) ablando
- (b) ablandas
- (c) ablanda
- (d) ablandan
Answer: (d) ablandan. The ellos/ellas form is ablandan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of ablandar?
- (a) ablandado
- (b) ablando
- (c) ablandar
- (d) ablandando
Answer: (d) ablandando. The gerund is ablandando, used for the progressive: estoy ablandando.
7. What is the past participle of ablandar?
- (a) ablandé
- (b) ablandar
- (c) ablandado
- (d) ablandando
Answer: (c) ablandado. The past participle is ablandado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he ablandado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la mantequilla en la cocina.
- (a) ablandamos
- (b) ablando
- (c) ablandas
- (d) ablanda
Answer: (b) ablando. The sentence needs the yo form ablando (Every day, I soften the butter in the kitchen.)
9. What is the yo form of ablandar in the preterite?
- (a) ablandé
- (b) ablandaste
- (c) ablandó
- (d) ablandamos
Answer: (a) ablandé. The yo preterite is ablandé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el corazón de su padre.
- (a) ablandemos
- (b) ablandéis
- (c) ablande
- (d) ablandes
Answer: (c) ablande. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is ablande.
Frequently asked questions about ablandar
Is ablandar regular?
Yes. ablandar is a regular -ar verb: ablando, ablandé, ablandaba, ablandaré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does ablandar mean, and when do I use it?
ablandar means "to soften" in English. Use it when you talk about the butter in the kitchen, the meat with the hammer, his father's heart and the wax with the heat — for example: Yo ablando la mantequilla en la cocina. — "I soften the butter in the kitchen." 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 ablando la mantequilla en la cocina. — "I soften the butter in the kitchen." 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 there a reflexive form of ablandar?
No. ablandar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo ablando la mantequilla en la cocina. — "I soften the butter in the kitchen." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with ablandar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo ablando la mantequilla en la cocina. — "I soften the butter in the kitchen." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo ablandé la mantequilla en la cocina. — "Yesterday, I softened the butter in the kitchen." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.