Aferrarse Conjugation in Spanish
aferrarse means "to cling to" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the rope in the mountains, his mother in the dark, his idea during the debate and his village's past. This page gives you the complete conjugation of aferrarse 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. aferrarse 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 aferro a la cuerda en la montaña. — "Every day, I cling to to the rope in the mountains." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: aferrarse
- English: to cling to
- Verb type: Reflexive regular -ar verb
- Gerund: aferrando
- Past participle: aferrado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + aferrado)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
Full conjugation table
Every tense of aferrarse with all six persons. The gerund is aferrando and the past participle is aferrado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | aferro |
| tú | aferras |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferra |
| nosotros/as | aferramos |
| vosotros/as | aferráis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferran |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | aferré |
| tú | aferraste |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferró |
| nosotros/as | aferramos |
| vosotros/as | aferrasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferraron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | aferraba |
| tú | aferrabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferraba |
| nosotros/as | aferrábamos |
| vosotros/as | aferrabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferraban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | aferraré |
| tú | aferrarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferrará |
| nosotros/as | aferraremos |
| vosotros/as | aferraréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferrarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | aferraría |
| tú | aferrarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferraría |
| nosotros/as | aferraríamos |
| vosotros/as | aferraríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferrarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he aferrado |
| tú | has aferrado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha aferrado |
| nosotros/as | hemos aferrado |
| vosotros/as | habéis aferrado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han aferrado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había aferrado |
| tú | habías aferrado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había aferrado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos aferrado |
| vosotros/as | habíais aferrado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían aferrado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré aferrado |
| tú | habrás aferrado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá aferrado |
| nosotros/as | habremos aferrado |
| vosotros/as | habréis aferrado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán aferrado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría aferrado |
| tú | habrías aferrado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría aferrado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos aferrado |
| vosotros/as | habríais aferrado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían aferrado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | aferre |
| tú | aferres |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferre |
| nosotros/as | aferremos |
| vosotros/as | aferréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferren |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | aferrara |
| tú | aferraras |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferrara |
| nosotros/as | aferráramos |
| vosotros/as | aferrarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferraran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | aferra |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferre |
| nosotros/as | aferremos |
| vosotros/as | aferrad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferren |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | aferres |
| él/ella/Ud. | aferre |
| nosotros/as | aferremos |
| vosotros/as | aferréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | aferren |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about aferrarse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of aferrarse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me aferro a la cuerda en la montaña. — "Every day, I cling to to the rope in the mountains." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me aferré a su madre en la oscuridad. — "Yesterday, I clung to to his mother in the dark." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me aferraba a su idea durante el debate. — "In the past, I used to cling to to his idea during the debate." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos aferraremos al pasado de su pueblo. — "Tomorrow, we will cling to to his village's past." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te aferrarías a la cuerda en la montaña. — "If you could, you would cling to to the rope in the mountains." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he aferrado a su madre en la oscuridad. — "I have clung to to his mother in the dark." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había aferrado a su idea durante el debate. — "Before the party, I had clung to to his idea during the debate." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré aferrado al pasado de su pueblo. — "By tomorrow, I will have clung to to his village's past." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría aferrado a la cuerda en la montaña. — "If I had been able to, I would have clung to to the rope in the mountains." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se aferre a su madre en la oscuridad. — "I hope that he/she clings to to his mother in the dark." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se aferrara a su idea durante el debate, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she clung to to his idea during the debate, everything would turn out better." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se aferre al pasado de su pueblo! — "Let him/her cling to to his village's past!" For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- 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 aferrarse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te aferres a la cuerda en la montaña. — "Do not cling to to the rope in the mountains." For aferrarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem aferr- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: aferrarse in real sentences
Ten sentences with aferrarse, 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 aferro a la cuerda en la montaña. — "Every day, I cling to to the rope in the mountains." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me aferré a su madre en la oscuridad. — "Yesterday, I clung to to his mother in the dark." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me aferraba a su idea durante el debate. — "In the past, I used to cling to to his idea during the debate." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos aferraremos al pasado de su pueblo. — "Tomorrow, we will cling to to his village's past." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te aferrarías a la cuerda en la montaña. — "If you could, you would cling to to the rope in the mountains." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he aferrado a su madre en la oscuridad. — "I have clung to to his mother in the dark." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se aferre a su idea durante el debate. — "I hope that he/she clings to to his idea during the debate." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se aferrara al pasado de su pueblo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she clung to to his village's past, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te aferres a la cuerda en la montaña! — "Do not cling to to the rope in the mountains!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy aferrando a su madre en la oscuridad. — "Now, I am clinging to to his mother in the dark." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with aferrarse
The errors learners actually make with aferrarse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo aferro a la cuerda en la montaña.
- Right: Yo me aferro a la cuerda en la montaña.
- Why: aferrarse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me aferro a la cuerda en la montaña.. 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 aferrais a la cuerda en la montaña.
- Right: Vosotros os aferráis a la cuerda en la montaña.
- Why: The vosotros form aferráis 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 aferro a su madre en la oscuridad.
- Right: Ayer, yo me aferré a su madre en la oscuridad.
- 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 aferré a su madre en la oscuridad. — "Yesterday, I clung to to his mother in the dark."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy aferrado a su idea durante el debate.
- Right: Me estoy aferrando a su idea durante el debate.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund aferrando for the progressive. The participle aferrado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he aferrado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros nos aferra a la cuerda en la montaña.
- Right: Nosotros nos aferramos a la cuerda en la montaña.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes aferramos, while aferra belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: aferrarse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on aferrarse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of aferrarse in the present tense?
- (a) aferra
- (b) aferramos
- (c) aferro
- (d) aferras
Answer: (c) aferro. The yo form is aferro. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of aferrarse in the present tense?
- (a) aferramos
- (b) aferras
- (c) aferro
- (d) aferra
Answer: (b) aferras. The tú form is aferras. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of aferrarse in the present tense?
- (a) aferra
- (b) aferro
- (c) aferras
- (d) aferramos
Answer: (a) aferra. The él/ella form is aferra. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of aferrarse in the present tense?
- (a) aferro
- (b) aferras
- (c) aferra
- (d) aferramos
Answer: (d) aferramos. The nosotros form is aferramos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of aferrarse in the present tense?
- (a) aferras
- (b) aferra
- (c) aferran
- (d) aferro
Answer: (c) aferran. The ellos/ellas form is aferran. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of aferrarse?
- (a) aferro
- (b) aferrarse
- (c) aferrando
- (d) aferrado
Answer: (c) aferrando. The gerund is aferrando, used for the progressive: me estoy aferrando.
7. What is the past participle of aferrarse?
- (a) aferrarse
- (b) aferrado
- (c) aferrando
- (d) aferré
Answer: (b) aferrado. The past participle is aferrado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he aferrado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ a la cuerda en la montaña.
- (a) aferro
- (b) aferras
- (c) aferra
- (d) aferramos
Answer: (a) aferro. The sentence needs the yo form aferro (Every day, I cling to to the rope in the mountains.)
9. What is the yo form of aferrarse in the preterite?
- (a) aferraste
- (b) aferró
- (c) aferramos
- (d) aferré
Answer: (d) aferré. The yo preterite is aferré. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ a su idea durante el debate.
- (a) aferréis
- (b) aferre
- (c) aferres
- (d) aferremos
Answer: (b) aferre. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is aferre.
Frequently asked questions about aferrarse
Is aferrarse regular?
Yes. aferrarse is a regular -ar verb: aferro, aferré, aferraba, aferraré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does aferrarse mean, and when do I use it?
aferrarse means "to cling to" in English. Use it when you talk about the rope in the mountains, his mother in the dark, his idea during the debate and his village's past — for example: Yo me aferro a la cuerda en la montaña. — "I cling to to the rope in the mountains." 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 aferro a la cuerda en la montaña. — "I cling to to the rope in the mountains." 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 aferrarse reflexive?
Yes. aferrarse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me aferro a la cuerda en la montaña. — "I cling to to the rope in the mountains." 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 aferrarse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me aferro a la cuerda en la montaña. — "I cling to to the rope in the mountains." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me aferré a la cuerda en la montaña. — "Yesterday, I clung to to the rope in the mountains." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.