Apoderarse Conjugation in Spanish
apoderarse means "to seize, to take over" in English, and it comes up when people talk about his uncle's house, the ball in the match, power in the country and the store-room key. This page gives you the complete conjugation of apoderarse 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. apoderarse 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 apodero de la casa de su tío. — "Every day, I seize of his uncle's house." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: apoderarse
- English: to seize, to take over
- Verb type: Reflexive regular -ar verb
- Gerund: apoderando
- Past participle: apoderado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + apoderado)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
Full conjugation table
Every tense of apoderarse with all six persons. The gerund is apoderando and the past participle is apoderado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | apodero |
| tú | apoderas |
| él/ella/Ud. | apodera |
| nosotros/as | apoderamos |
| vosotros/as | apoderáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | apoderé |
| tú | apoderaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | apoderó |
| nosotros/as | apoderamos |
| vosotros/as | apoderasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | apoderaba |
| tú | apoderabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | apoderaba |
| nosotros/as | apoderábamos |
| vosotros/as | apoderabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | apoderaré |
| tú | apoderarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | apoderará |
| nosotros/as | apoderaremos |
| vosotros/as | apoderaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | apoderaría |
| tú | apoderarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | apoderaría |
| nosotros/as | apoderaríamos |
| vosotros/as | apoderaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he apoderado |
| tú | has apoderado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha apoderado |
| nosotros/as | hemos apoderado |
| vosotros/as | habéis apoderado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han apoderado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había apoderado |
| tú | habías apoderado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había apoderado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos apoderado |
| vosotros/as | habíais apoderado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían apoderado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré apoderado |
| tú | habrás apoderado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá apoderado |
| nosotros/as | habremos apoderado |
| vosotros/as | habréis apoderado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán apoderado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría apoderado |
| tú | habrías apoderado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría apoderado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos apoderado |
| vosotros/as | habríais apoderado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían apoderado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | apodere |
| tú | apoderes |
| él/ella/Ud. | apodere |
| nosotros/as | apoderemos |
| vosotros/as | apoderéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | apoderara |
| tú | apoderaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | apoderara |
| nosotros/as | apoderáramos |
| vosotros/as | apoderarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | apodera |
| él/ella/Ud. | apodere |
| nosotros/as | apoderemos |
| vosotros/as | apoderad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | apoderes |
| él/ella/Ud. | apodere |
| nosotros/as | apoderemos |
| vosotros/as | apoderéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | apoderen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about apoderarse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of apoderarse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me apodero de la casa de su tío. — "Every day, I seize of his uncle's house." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me apoderé del balón en el partido. — "Yesterday, I seized of the ball in the match." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me apoderaba del poder en el país. — "In the past, I used to seize of power in the country." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos apoderaremos de la llave del almacén. — "Tomorrow, we will seize of the store-room key." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te apoderarías de la casa de su tío. — "If you could, you would seize of his uncle's house." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he apoderado del balón en el partido. — "I have seized of the ball in the match." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había apoderado del poder en el país. — "Before the party, I had seized of power in the country." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré apoderado de la llave del almacén. — "By tomorrow, I will have seized of the store-room key." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría apoderado de la casa de su tío. — "If I had been able to, I would have seized of his uncle's house." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se apodere del balón en el partido. — "I hope that he/she seizes of the ball in the match." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se apoderara del poder en el país, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she seized of power in the country, everything would turn out better." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se apodere de la llave del almacén! — "Let him/her seize of the store-room key!" For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- 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 apoderarse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te apoderes de la casa de su tío. — "Do not seize of his uncle's house." For apoderarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem apoder- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: apoderarse in real sentences
Ten sentences with apoderarse, 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 apodero de la casa de su tío. — "Every day, I seize of his uncle's house." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me apoderé del balón en el partido. — "Yesterday, I seized of the ball in the match." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me apoderaba del poder en el país. — "In the past, I used to seize of power in the country." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos apoderaremos de la llave del almacén. — "Tomorrow, we will seize of the store-room key." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te apoderarías de la casa de su tío. — "If you could, you would seize of his uncle's house." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he apoderado del balón en el partido. — "I have seized of the ball in the match." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se apodere del poder en el país. — "I hope that he/she seizes of power in the country." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se apoderara de la llave del almacén, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she seized of the store-room key, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te apoderes de la casa de su tío! — "Do not seize of his uncle's house!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy apoderando del balón en el partido. — "Now, I am seizing of the ball in the match." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with apoderarse
The errors learners actually make with apoderarse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo apodero de la casa de su tío.
- Right: Yo me apodero de la casa de su tío.
- Why: apoderarse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me apodero de la casa de su tío.. 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 apoderais de la casa de su tío.
- Right: Vosotros os apoderáis de la casa de su tío.
- Why: The vosotros form apoderáis 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 apodero del balón en el partido.
- Right: Ayer, yo me apoderé del balón en el partido.
- 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 apoderé del balón en el partido. — "Yesterday, I seized of the ball in the match."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy apoderado del poder en el país.
- Right: Me estoy apoderando del poder en el país.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund apoderando for the progressive. The participle apoderado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he apoderado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros nos apodera de la casa de su tío.
- Right: Nosotros nos apoderamos de la casa de su tío.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes apoderamos, while apodera belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: apoderarse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on apoderarse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of apoderarse in the present tense?
- (a) apoderamos
- (b) apodero
- (c) apoderas
- (d) apodera
Answer: (b) apodero. The yo form is apodero. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of apoderarse in the present tense?
- (a) apoderas
- (b) apodero
- (c) apodera
- (d) apoderamos
Answer: (a) apoderas. The tú form is apoderas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of apoderarse in the present tense?
- (a) apodero
- (b) apoderas
- (c) apoderamos
- (d) apodera
Answer: (d) apodera. The él/ella form is apodera. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of apoderarse in the present tense?
- (a) apoderas
- (b) apodera
- (c) apoderamos
- (d) apodero
Answer: (c) apoderamos. The nosotros form is apoderamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of apoderarse in the present tense?
- (a) apodera
- (b) apoderan
- (c) apodero
- (d) apoderas
Answer: (b) apoderan. The ellos/ellas form is apoderan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of apoderarse?
- (a) apoderarse
- (b) apoderando
- (c) apoderado
- (d) apodero
Answer: (b) apoderando. The gerund is apoderando, used for the progressive: me estoy apoderando.
7. What is the past participle of apoderarse?
- (a) apoderado
- (b) apoderando
- (c) apoderé
- (d) apoderarse
Answer: (a) apoderado. The past participle is apoderado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he apoderado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ de la casa de su tío.
- (a) apoderas
- (b) apodera
- (c) apoderamos
- (d) apodero
Answer: (d) apodero. The sentence needs the yo form apodero (Every day, I seize of his uncle's house.)
9. What is the yo form of apoderarse in the preterite?
- (a) apoderó
- (b) apoderamos
- (c) apoderé
- (d) apoderaste
Answer: (c) apoderé. The yo preterite is apoderé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ del poder en el país.
- (a) apodere
- (b) apoderes
- (c) apoderemos
- (d) apoderéis
Answer: (a) apodere. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is apodere.
Frequently asked questions about apoderarse
Is apoderarse regular?
Yes. apoderarse is a regular -ar verb: apodero, apoderé, apoderaba, apoderaré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does apoderarse mean, and when do I use it?
apoderarse means "to seize, to take over" in English. Use it when you talk about his uncle's house, the ball in the match, power in the country and the store-room key — for example: Yo me apodero de la casa de su tío. — "I seize of his uncle's house." 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 apodero de la casa de su tío. — "I seize of his uncle's house." 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 apoderarse reflexive?
Yes. apoderarse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me apodero de la casa de su tío. — "I seize of his uncle's house." 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 apoderarse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me apodero de la casa de su tío. — "I seize of his uncle's house." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me apoderé de la casa de su tío. — "Yesterday, I seized of his uncle's house." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.