Aclararse Conjugation in Spanish

aclararse means "to clear up" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the sky after the rain, the doubt with the example, his voice after coughing and the river water in summer. This page gives you the complete conjugation of aclararse 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. aclararse is a Reflexive 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 me aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia. — "Every day, I clear up the sky after the rain." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.

Quick facts

  • Infinitive: aclararse
  • English: to clear up
  • Verb type: Reflexive regular -ar verb
  • Gerund: aclarando
  • Past participle: aclarado
  • Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + aclarado)
  • Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.

Full conjugation table

Every tense of aclararse with all six persons. The gerund is aclarando and the past participle is aclarado.

Present indicative

Person Form
yo aclaro
tú aclaras
él/ella/Ud. aclara
nosotros/as aclaramos
vosotros/as aclaráis
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclaran

Preterite (past)

Person Form
yo aclaré
tú aclaraste
él/ella/Ud. aclaró
nosotros/as aclaramos
vosotros/as aclarasteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclararon

Imperfect

Person Form
yo aclaraba
tú aclarabas
él/ella/Ud. aclaraba
nosotros/as aclarábamos
vosotros/as aclarabais
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclaraban

Future

Person Form
yo aclararé
tú aclararás
él/ella/Ud. aclarará
nosotros/as aclararemos
vosotros/as aclararéis
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclararán

Conditional

Person Form
yo aclararía
tú aclararías
él/ella/Ud. aclararía
nosotros/as aclararíamos
vosotros/as aclararíais
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclararían

Present perfect

Person Form
yo he aclarado
tú has aclarado
él/ella/Ud. ha aclarado
nosotros/as hemos aclarado
vosotros/as habéis aclarado
ellos/ellas/Uds. han aclarado

Pluperfect

Person Form
yo había aclarado
tú habías aclarado
él/ella/Ud. había aclarado
nosotros/as habíamos aclarado
vosotros/as habíais aclarado
ellos/ellas/Uds. habían aclarado

Future perfect

Person Form
yo habré aclarado
tú habrás aclarado
él/ella/Ud. habrá aclarado
nosotros/as habremos aclarado
vosotros/as habréis aclarado
ellos/ellas/Uds. habrán aclarado

Conditional perfect

Person Form
yo habría aclarado
tú habrías aclarado
él/ella/Ud. habría aclarado
nosotros/as habríamos aclarado
vosotros/as habríais aclarado
ellos/ellas/Uds. habrían aclarado

Present subjunctive

Person Form
yo aclare
tú aclares
él/ella/Ud. aclare
nosotros/as aclaremos
vosotros/as aclaréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclaren

Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)

Person Form
yo aclarara
tú aclararas
él/ella/Ud. aclarara
nosotros/as aclaráramos
vosotros/as aclararais
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclararan

Imperative (affirmative)

Person Form
tú aclara
él/ella/Ud. aclare
nosotros/as aclaremos
vosotros/as aclarad
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclaren

Imperative (negative)

Person Form
tú aclares
él/ella/Ud. aclare
nosotros/as aclaremos
vosotros/as aclaréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. aclaren

Notes on each tense

A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about aclararse in that tense.

Present indicative

The present indicative of aclararse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia. — "Every day, I clear up the sky after the rain." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me aclaré la duda con el ejemplo. — "Yesterday, I cleared up the doubt with the example." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me aclaraba la voz después de toser. — "In the past, I used to clear up his voice after coughing." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos aclararemos el agua del río en verano. — "Tomorrow, we will clear up the river water in summer." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te aclararías el cielo después de la lluvia. — "If you could, you would clear up the sky after the rain." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he aclarado la duda con el ejemplo. — "I have cleared up the doubt with the example." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había aclarado la voz después de toser. — "Before the party, I had cleared up his voice after coughing." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré aclarado el agua del río en verano. — "By tomorrow, I will have cleared up the river water in summer." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría aclarado el cielo después de la lluvia. — "If I had been able to, I would have cleared up the sky after the rain." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se aclare la duda con el ejemplo. — "I hope that he/she clears up the doubt with the example." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se aclarara la voz después de toser, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she cleared up his voice after coughing, everything would turn out better." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se aclare el agua del río en verano! — "Let him/her clear up the river water in summer!" For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- 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 aclararse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te aclares el cielo después de la lluvia. — "Do not clear up the sky after the rain." For aclararse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aclar- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.

Examples: aclararse in real sentences

Ten sentences with aclararse, 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.

  1. Cada día, yo me aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia. — "Every day, I clear up the sky after the rain." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
  2. Ayer, yo me aclaré la duda con el ejemplo. — "Yesterday, I cleared up the doubt with the example." This is the preterite, one finished action.
  3. Antes, yo me aclaraba la voz después de toser. — "In the past, I used to clear up his voice after coughing." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
  4. Mañana, nosotros nos aclararemos el agua del río en verano. — "Tomorrow, we will clear up the river water in summer." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
  5. Si pudieras, tú te aclararías el cielo después de la lluvia. — "If you could, you would clear up the sky after the rain." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
  6. Yo me he aclarado la duda con el ejemplo. — "I have cleared up the doubt with the example." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
  7. Espero que él se aclare la voz después de toser. — "I hope that he/she clears up his voice after coughing." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
  8. Si él se aclarara el agua del río en verano, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she cleared up the river water in summer, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
  9. ¡No te aclares el cielo después de la lluvia! — "Do not clear up the sky after the rain!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
  10. Ahora, Yo me estoy aclarando la duda con el ejemplo. — "Now, I am clearing up the doubt with the example." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.

Common mistakes with aclararse

The errors learners actually make with aclararse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.

Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun

  • Wrong: Yo aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia.
  • Right: Yo me aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia.
  • Why: aclararse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia.. Without me the sentence is incomplete, and it sounds as if the action happens to someone else.

Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form

  • Wrong: Vosotros os aclarais el cielo después de la lluvia.
  • Right: Vosotros os aclaráis el cielo después de la lluvia.
  • Why: The vosotros form aclaráis 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 me aclaro la duda con el ejemplo.
  • Right: Ayer, yo me aclaré la duda con el ejemplo.
  • 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 aclaré la duda con el ejemplo. — "Yesterday, I cleared up the doubt with the example."

Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle

  • Wrong: Me estoy aclarado la voz después de toser.
  • Right: Me estoy aclarando la voz después de toser.
  • Why: After estar you need the gerund aclarando for the progressive. The participle aclarado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he aclarado), never after estar.

Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros

  • Wrong: Nosotros nos aclara el cielo después de la lluvia.
  • Right: Nosotros nos aclaramos el cielo después de la lluvia.
  • Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes aclaramos, while aclara belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.

Quiz: aclararse conjugation

Test yourself with ten questions on aclararse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.

1. What is the yo form of aclararse in the present tense?

  • (a) aclaro
  • (b) aclaras
  • (c) aclara
  • (d) aclaramos

Answer: (a) aclaro. The yo form is aclaro. Check the person before you answer.

2. What is the tú form of aclararse in the present tense?

  • (a) aclaro
  • (b) aclara
  • (c) aclaramos
  • (d) aclaras

Answer: (d) aclaras. The tú form is aclaras. Check the person before you answer.

3. What is the él/ella form of aclararse in the present tense?

  • (a) aclaras
  • (b) aclaramos
  • (c) aclara
  • (d) aclaro

Answer: (c) aclara. The él/ella form is aclara. Check the person before you answer.

4. What is the nosotros form of aclararse in the present tense?

  • (a) aclara
  • (b) aclaramos
  • (c) aclaro
  • (d) aclaras

Answer: (b) aclaramos. The nosotros form is aclaramos. Check the person before you answer.

5. What is the ellos/ellas form of aclararse in the present tense?

  • (a) aclaran
  • (b) aclaro
  • (c) aclaras
  • (d) aclara

Answer: (a) aclaran. The ellos/ellas form is aclaran. Check the person before you answer.

6. What is the gerund of aclararse?

  • (a) aclarando
  • (b) aclarado
  • (c) aclaro
  • (d) aclararse

Answer: (a) aclarando. The gerund is aclarando, used for the progressive: me estoy aclarando.

7. What is the past participle of aclararse?

  • (a) aclarando
  • (b) aclaré
  • (c) aclararse
  • (d) aclarado

Answer: (d) aclarado. The past participle is aclarado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he aclarado.

8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ el cielo después de la lluvia.

  • (a) aclara
  • (b) aclaramos
  • (c) aclaro
  • (d) aclaras

Answer: (c) aclaro. The sentence needs the yo form aclaro (Every day, I clear up the sky after the rain.)

9. What is the yo form of aclararse in the preterite?

  • (a) aclaramos
  • (b) aclaré
  • (c) aclaraste
  • (d) aclaró

Answer: (b) aclaré. The yo preterite is aclaré. The preterite describes one finished action.

10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la voz después de toser.

  • (a) aclares
  • (b) aclaremos
  • (c) aclaréis
  • (d) aclare

Answer: (d) aclare. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is aclare.

Frequently asked questions about aclararse

Is aclararse regular?

Yes. aclararse is a regular -ar verb: aclaro, aclaré, aclaraba, aclararé. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.

What does aclararse mean, and when do I use it?

aclararse means "to clear up" in English. Use it when you talk about the sky after the rain, the doubt with the example, his voice after coughing and the river water in summer — for example: Yo me aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia. — "I clear up the sky after the rain." 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 aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia. — "I clear up the sky after the rain." 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 aclararse reflexive?

Yes. aclararse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia. — "I clear up the sky after the rain." 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 aclararse?

Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me aclaro el cielo después de la lluvia. — "I clear up the sky after the rain." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me aclaré el cielo después de la lluvia. — "Yesterday, I cleared up the sky after the rain." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.

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