Abreviar Conjugation in Spanish
abreviar means "to shorten, to abbreviate" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the word in the text, the speech for the meeting, the name on the list and the journey by the shortcut. This page gives you the complete conjugation of abreviar 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. abreviar 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 abrevio la palabra en el texto. — "Every day, I shorten the word in the text." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: abreviar
- English: to shorten, to abbreviate
- Verb type: regular -ar verb
- Gerund: abreviando
- Past participle: abreviado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + abreviado)
Full conjugation table
Every tense of abreviar with all six persons. The gerund is abreviando and the past participle is abreviado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abrevio |
| tú | abrevias |
| él/ella/Ud. | abrevia |
| nosotros/as | abreviamos |
| vosotros/as | abreviáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abrevian |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abrevié |
| tú | abreviaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | abrevió |
| nosotros/as | abreviamos |
| vosotros/as | abreviasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abreviaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abreviaba |
| tú | abreviabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | abreviaba |
| nosotros/as | abreviábamos |
| vosotros/as | abreviabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abreviaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abreviaré |
| tú | abreviarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | abreviará |
| nosotros/as | abreviaremos |
| vosotros/as | abreviaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abreviarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abreviaría |
| tú | abreviarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | abreviaría |
| nosotros/as | abreviaríamos |
| vosotros/as | abreviaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abreviarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he abreviado |
| tú | has abreviado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha abreviado |
| nosotros/as | hemos abreviado |
| vosotros/as | habéis abreviado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han abreviado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había abreviado |
| tú | habías abreviado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había abreviado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos abreviado |
| vosotros/as | habíais abreviado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían abreviado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré abreviado |
| tú | habrás abreviado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá abreviado |
| nosotros/as | habremos abreviado |
| vosotros/as | habréis abreviado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán abreviado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría abreviado |
| tú | habrías abreviado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría abreviado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos abreviado |
| vosotros/as | habríais abreviado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían abreviado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abrevie |
| tú | abrevies |
| él/ella/Ud. | abrevie |
| nosotros/as | abreviemos |
| vosotros/as | abreviéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abrevien |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | abreviara |
| tú | abreviaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | abreviara |
| nosotros/as | abreviáramos |
| vosotros/as | abreviarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abreviaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | abrevia |
| él/ella/Ud. | abrevie |
| nosotros/as | abreviemos |
| vosotros/as | abreviad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abrevien |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | abrevies |
| él/ella/Ud. | abrevie |
| nosotros/as | abreviemos |
| vosotros/as | abreviéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | abrevien |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about abreviar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of abreviar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo abrevio la palabra en el texto. — "Every day, I shorten the word in the text." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo abrevié el discurso para la reunión. — "Yesterday, I shortened the speech for the meeting." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo abreviaba el nombre en la lista. — "In the past, I used to shorten the name on the list." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros abreviaremos el camino por el atajo. — "Tomorrow, we will shorten the journey by the shortcut." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú abreviarías la palabra en el texto. — "If you could, you would shorten the word in the text." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he abreviado el discurso para la reunión. — "I have shortened the speech for the meeting." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había abreviado el nombre en la lista. — "Before the party, I had shortened the name on the list." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré abreviado el camino por el atajo. — "By tomorrow, I will have shortened the journey by the shortcut." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría abreviado la palabra en el texto. — "If I had been able to, I would have shortened the word in the text." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él abrevie el discurso para la reunión. — "I hope that he/she shortens the speech for the meeting." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él abreviara el nombre en la lista, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she shortened the name on the list, everything would turn out better." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Abrevia el camino por el atajo! — "Shorten the journey by the shortcut!" For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- 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 abreviar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No abrevies la palabra en el texto. — "Do not shorten the word in the text." For abreviar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem abrevi- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: abreviar in real sentences
Ten sentences with abreviar, 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 abrevio la palabra en el texto. — "Every day, I shorten the word in the text." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo abrevié el discurso para la reunión. — "Yesterday, I shortened the speech for the meeting." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo abreviaba el nombre en la lista. — "In the past, I used to shorten the name on the list." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros abreviaremos el camino por el atajo. — "Tomorrow, we will shorten the journey by the shortcut." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú abreviarías la palabra en el texto. — "If you could, you would shorten the word in the text." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he abreviado el discurso para la reunión. — "I have shortened the speech for the meeting." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él abrevie el nombre en la lista. — "I hope that he/she shortens the name on the list." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él abreviara el camino por el atajo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she shortened the journey by the shortcut, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Abrevia la palabra en el texto! — "Shorten the word in the text!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy abreviando el discurso para la reunión. — "Now, I am shortening the speech for the meeting." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with abreviar
The errors learners actually make with abreviar, 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 abrevio la palabra en el texto.
- Right: Yo abrevio la palabra en el texto.
- Why: abreviar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo abrevio la palabra en el texto. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros abreviais la palabra en el texto.
- Right: Vosotros abreviáis la palabra en el texto.
- Why: The vosotros form abreviáis 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 abrevio el discurso para la reunión.
- Right: Ayer, yo abrevié el discurso para la reunión.
- 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 abrevié el discurso para la reunión. — "Yesterday, I shortened the speech for the meeting."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy abreviado el nombre en la lista.
- Right: Estoy abreviando el nombre en la lista.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund abreviando for the progressive. The participle abreviado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he abreviado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros abrevia la palabra en el texto.
- Right: Nosotros abreviamos la palabra en el texto.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes abreviamos, while abrevia belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: abreviar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on abreviar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of abreviar in the present tense?
- (a) abrevias
- (b) abrevia
- (c) abreviamos
- (d) abrevio
Answer: (d) abrevio. The yo form is abrevio. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of abreviar in the present tense?
- (a) abrevia
- (b) abreviamos
- (c) abrevias
- (d) abrevio
Answer: (c) abrevias. The tú form is abrevias. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of abreviar in the present tense?
- (a) abreviamos
- (b) abrevia
- (c) abrevio
- (d) abrevias
Answer: (b) abrevia. The él/ella form is abrevia. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of abreviar in the present tense?
- (a) abreviamos
- (b) abrevio
- (c) abrevias
- (d) abrevia
Answer: (a) abreviamos. The nosotros form is abreviamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of abreviar in the present tense?
- (a) abrevio
- (b) abrevias
- (c) abrevia
- (d) abrevian
Answer: (d) abrevian. The ellos/ellas form is abrevian. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of abreviar?
- (a) abreviado
- (b) abrevio
- (c) abreviar
- (d) abreviando
Answer: (d) abreviando. The gerund is abreviando, used for the progressive: estoy abreviando.
7. What is the past participle of abreviar?
- (a) abrevié
- (b) abreviar
- (c) abreviado
- (d) abreviando
Answer: (c) abreviado. The past participle is abreviado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he abreviado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la palabra en el texto.
- (a) abreviamos
- (b) abrevio
- (c) abrevias
- (d) abrevia
Answer: (b) abrevio. The sentence needs the yo form abrevio (Every day, I shorten the word in the text.)
9. What is the yo form of abreviar in the preterite?
- (a) abrevié
- (b) abreviaste
- (c) abrevió
- (d) abreviamos
Answer: (a) abrevié. The yo preterite is abrevié. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el nombre en la lista.
- (a) abreviemos
- (b) abreviéis
- (c) abrevie
- (d) abrevies
Answer: (c) abrevie. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is abrevie.
Frequently asked questions about abreviar
Is abreviar regular?
Yes. abreviar is a regular -ar verb: abrevio, abrevié, abreviaba, abreviaré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does abreviar mean, and when do I use it?
abreviar means "to shorten, to abbreviate" in English. Use it when you talk about the word in the text, the speech for the meeting, the name on the list and the journey by the shortcut — for example: Yo abrevio la palabra en el texto. — "I shorten the word in the text." 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 abrevio la palabra en el texto. — "I shorten the word in the text." 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 abreviar?
No. abreviar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo abrevio la palabra en el texto. — "I shorten the word in the text." 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 abreviar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo abrevio la palabra en el texto. — "I shorten the word in the text." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo abrevié la palabra en el texto. — "Yesterday, I shortened the word in the text." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.