Atraer Conjugation in Spanish

The Spanish verb atraer means to attract, and it is a verb you will use again and again once you know it. Atraer means to attract, and it is used for attracting tourists, attracting attention and a magnet attracting metal. It follows the pattern of traer, with the present atraigo, the preterite atraje, the gerund atrayendo and the participle atraído. Like every Spanish verb, atraer changes its ending for each person and tense, and this page gives you the complete picture: every tense, every person, the gerund and the past participle, all from the verified conjugation tables. For example, in the present tense you say atraigo a muchos turistas en verano, and in the preterite you say atraje a los clientes con ofertas. Work through the tables below, read the notes for each tense, and then test yourself with the examples, the common mistakes and the quiz at the end of the page.

Quick facts

  • Infinitive: atraer
  • English: to attract
  • Verb type: irregular verb
  • Ending: -er
  • Gerund: atrayendo
  • Past participle: atraído
  • Auxiliary verb: haber (all perfect tenses are formed with haber + atraído)

Pronunciation is not listed on this page: the verified tables do not include IPA for atraer, so no pronunciation is given rather than an invented one. Atraer follows traer: the present is atraigo, the preterite is atraje, the gerund is atrayendo, and the participle is atraído.

Full conjugation tables

Every form below comes from the verified conjugation tables for atraer. The imperfect subjunctive is shown in its -ra forms; the -se forms use the same stem. For reflexive verbs, the pronoun column shows the reflexive pronoun that goes before each form.

Present indicative

Person Form
yo atraigo
tú atraes
él/ella/Ud. atrae
nosotros/as atraemos
vosotros/as atraéis
ellos/ellas/Uds. atraen

Preterite

Person Form
yo atraje
tú atrajiste
él/ella/Ud. atrajo
nosotros/as atrajimos
vosotros/as atrajisteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. atrajeron

Imperfect

Person Form
yo atraía
tú atraías
él/ella/Ud. atraía
nosotros/as atraíamos
vosotros/as atraíais
ellos/ellas/Uds. atraían

Future

Person Form
yo atraeré
tú atraerás
él/ella/Ud. atraerá
nosotros/as atraeremos
vosotros/as atraeréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. atraerán

Conditional

Person Form
yo atraería
tú atraerías
él/ella/Ud. atraería
nosotros/as atraeríamos
vosotros/as atraeríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. atraerían

Present perfect

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

Pluperfect

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

Future perfect

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

Conditional perfect

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

Present subjunctive

Person Form
yo atraiga
tú atraigas
él/ella/Ud. atraiga
nosotros/as atraigamos
vosotros/as atraigáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. atraigan

Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)

Person Form
yo atrajera
tú atrajeras
él/ella/Ud. atrajera
nosotros/as atrajéramos
vosotros/as atrajerais
ellos/ellas/Uds. atrajeran

Imperative (affirmative)

Person Form
tú atrae
él/ella/Ud. atraiga
nosotros/as atraigamos
vosotros/as atraed
ellos/ellas/Uds. atraigan

Imperative (negative)

Person Form
tú atraigas
él/ella/Ud. atraiga
nosotros/as atraigamos
vosotros/as atraigáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. atraigan

Gerund and past participle

Form Spanish Use
Gerund atrayendo with estar for the progressive: estoy atrayendo
Past participle atraído with haber for the perfect tenses: he atraído

How to use each tense

Present indicative

Use the present for routines, general facts and what is happening right now. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of traer, with a -g- in the present (as in atraigo), a -j- stem in the preterite (as in atraje), the gerund in -yendo (as in atrayendo), and the participle in -ído (as in atraído). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For atraer, the present looks like this in a real sentence: Atraigo a muchos turistas en verano. Learn the present forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Preterite

Use the preterite for finished actions with a clear end, often with ayer, el año pasado or anoche. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of traer, with a -g- in the present (as in atraigo), a -j- stem in the preterite (as in atraje), the gerund in -yendo (as in atrayendo), and the participle in -ído (as in atraído). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For atraer, the preterite looks like this in a real sentence: Ayer, atraje la atención de todos. Learn the preterite forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Imperfect

Use the imperfect for background, habits and actions in progress in the past, often with de niño, antes or mientras. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For atraer, the imperfect looks like this in a real sentence: De niño, atraía a los clientes con ofertas. Learn the imperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Future

Use the future for plans, predictions and promises, often with mañana, el año que viene or pronto. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For atraer, the future looks like this in a real sentence: Mañana, atraeré a los jóvenes con música. Learn the future forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Conditional

Use the conditional for polite requests, hypotheticals and what would happen, often with si clauses. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For atraer, the conditional looks like this in a real sentence: Atraería a muchos turistas en verano si pudiera. Learn the conditional forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Present perfect

Use the present perfect for recent actions and experiences, often with hoy, esta semana or ya. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is atraído, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For atraer, the present perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Hoy, he atraído la atención de todos. Learn the present perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Pluperfect

Use the pluperfect when one past action happened before another past action. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is atraído, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For atraer, the pluperfect looks like this in a real sentence: Había atraído a los clientes con ofertas antes de salir. Learn the pluperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Future perfect

Use the future perfect for something that will already be finished by a future time. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is atraído, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For atraer, the future perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Para mañana, habré atraído a los jóvenes con música. Learn the future perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Conditional perfect

Use the conditional perfect for what would have happened under different conditions. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is atraído, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For atraer, the conditional perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Habría atraído a muchos turistas en verano con más tiempo. Learn the conditional perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Present subjunctive

Use the present subjunctive after expressions of wish, doubt, emotion and hope, such as espero que or quiero que. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of traer, with a -g- in the present (as in atraigo), a -j- stem in the preterite (as in atraje), the gerund in -yendo (as in atrayendo), and the participle in -ído (as in atraído). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For atraer, the present subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Espero que él atraiga la atención de todos. Learn the present subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)

Use the imperfect subjunctive after past wishes and in si clauses about the past, and note the -ra forms shown here; the -se forms use the same stem. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of traer, with a -g- in the present (as in atraigo), a -j- stem in the preterite (as in atraje), the gerund in -yendo (as in atrayendo), and the participle in -ído (as in atraído). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For atraer, the imperfect subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Si él atrajera a los clientes con ofertas, todo cambiaría. Learn the imperfect subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Imperative (affirmative)

Use the affirmative imperative for direct commands, instructions and invitations. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of traer, with a -g- in the present (as in atraigo), a -j- stem in the preterite (as in atraje), the gerund in -yendo (as in atrayendo), and the participle in -ído (as in atraído). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For atraer, the affirmative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: ¡Atrae a los jóvenes con música! Learn the affirmative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Imperative (negative)

Use the negative imperative, always with no, to tell someone not to do something. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of traer, with a -g- in the present (as in atraigo), a -j- stem in the preterite (as in atraje), the gerund in -yendo (as in atrayendo), and the participle in -ído (as in atraído). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For atraer, the negative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: No atraigas a muchos turistas en verano. Learn the negative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.

Example sentences

Ten natural sentences with atraer, covering different tenses and persons. Each one uses a form from the tables above.

  1. Atraigo a muchos turistas en verano. — I attract many tourists in summer.
  2. Atrae la atención de todos. — He/she attracts everyone's attention.
  3. Ayer, atraje a los clientes con ofertas. — Yesterday, I attracted customers with offers.
  4. Antes, nosotros atraíamos a los jóvenes con música. — Before, we used to attract young people with music.
  5. Mañana, tú atraerás a muchos turistas en verano. — Tomorrow, you will attract many tourists in summer.
  6. Yo atraería la atención de todos si tuviera más tiempo. — I would attract everyone's attention if I had more time.
  7. Él ha atraído a los clientes con ofertas. — He has attracted customers with offers.
  8. Espero que él atraiga a los jóvenes con música. — I hope he attracts young people with music.
  9. Yo ya había atraído a muchos turistas en verano antes de salir. — I had already attracted many tourists in summer before leaving.
  10. Ellos atraían la atención de todos cuando eran jóvenes. — They used to attract everyone's attention when they were young.

Common mistakes

  1. Wrong: Yo atrae a muchos turistas en verano. — Right: Yo atraigo a muchos turistas en verano. — The person matters: atrae is the él/ella/Ud. form, while the yo form is atraigo. Using the third-person form with yo is one of the most common beginner errors.
  2. Wrong: Ayer yo atraí la atención de todos. — Right: Ayer yo atraje la atención de todos. — Atraer has an irregular preterite: the correct first-person form is atraje, not the regular atraí. Learn the preterite forms in the table as a set.
  3. Wrong: Treating atraer and repeler as identical in every context. — Right: Atraer means to attract, while repeler means to repel. — They overlap, but each has uses the other does not: atraer fits sentences such as Atraigo a muchos turistas en verano, while repeler belongs in a different sentence. Check the meaning you want before choosing.
  4. Wrong: Yo soy atraído la atención de todos. — Right: Yo he atraído la atención de todos. — Spanish perfect tenses use haber, not ser: he atraído, has atraído, ha atraído. Ser plus the participle makes a passive, not a perfect tense.
  5. Wrong: De niño, yo atraje a los clientes con ofertas todos los días. — Right: De niño, yo atraía a los clientes con ofertas todos los días. — For a repeated habit in the past, use the imperfect (atraía), not the preterite. The preterite (atraje) is for one finished action.

Quiz: test yourself

Ten questions on atraer. Choose the right form, then check the answer key below.

  1. Complete the sentence: Yo ___ a muchos turistas en verano. (present tense) A. atraigo B. atraes C. atrae D. atraemos

  2. Complete the sentence: Ayer, él ___ la atención de todos. (preterite) A. atraje B. atrajiste C. atrajeron D. atrajo

  3. Complete the sentence: Antes, nosotros ___ a los clientes con ofertas. (imperfect) A. atraías B. atraían C. atraíamos D. atraía

  4. Complete the sentence: Mañana, tú ___ a los jóvenes con música. (future) A. atraeremos B. atraerás C. atraeré D. atraerá

  5. Complete the sentence: Yo ___ a muchos turistas en verano si pudiera. (conditional) A. atraería B. atraerías C. atraerían D. atraigo

  6. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la atención de todos. (present subjunctive) A. atraigas B. atraigamos C. atraigo D. atraiga

  7. Complete the sentence: Si yo ___ a los clientes con ofertas, todo cambiaría. (imperfect subjunctive, -ra form) A. atrajéramos B. atraigo C. atrajera D. atrajeras

  8. Complete the sentence: Nosotros ___ a los jóvenes con música. (present perfect) A. han atraído B. hemos atraído C. he atraído D. has atraído

  9. Complete the command: ¡___ a muchos turistas en verano! (affirmative imperative, tú) A. atrae B. atraiga C. atraigamos D. atraed

  10. Which is the gerund of atraer, used with estar for the progressive? A. atraído B. atraigo C. atraje D. atrayendo

Answer key

  1. atraigo — The first-person present of atraer is atraigo. The other options are the tú, él/ella and nosotros forms.
  2. atrajo — The third-person preterite of atraer is atrajo, the form for a single finished action in the past.
  3. atraíamos — The nosotros imperfect of atraer is atraíamos, used here for a repeated past habit.
  4. atraerás — The second-person future of atraer is atraerás.
  5. atraería — The first-person conditional of atraer is atraería, the form for what would happen.
  6. atraiga — After espero que, the subjunctive is required: the third-person present subjunctive of atraer is atraiga.
  7. atrajera — The first-person imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of atraer is atrajera.
  8. hemos atraído — The nosotros present perfect of atraer is hemos atraído: hemos + atraído.
  9. atrae — The affirmative tú imperative of atraer is atrae.
  10. atrayendo — The gerund of atraer is atrayendo: estoy atrayendo. The participle atraído is used with haber instead.

Frequently asked questions

What does atraer mean in English?

Atraer means to attract. It is used in everyday situations such as Atraigo a muchos turistas en verano. The exact English wording depends on the context, but the core meaning stays the same across the tenses.

Is atraer regular or irregular?

Atraer is irregular in present, preterite, present-subjunctive, imperfect-subjunctive, gerund, past-participle, present-perfect, pluperfect, future-perfect, conditional-perfect, imperative-affirmative, imperative-negative. The other tenses follow the regular pattern. Learn the irregular forms from the tables above rather than guessing them from the infinitive.

What is the difference between atraer and repeler?

Atraer means to attract, while repeler means to repel. They are easy to confuse because they appear in similar situations, but they are not interchangeable: use atraer when you mean to attract, as in Atraigo a muchos turistas en verano, and use repeler for to repel. When in doubt, check the object of the sentence — it usually shows which verb fits.

How do I say “I attract” in the past?

It depends on the kind of past. For one finished action, use the preterite: yo atraje la atención de todos. For a repeated habit or background in the past, use the imperfect: yo atraía a los clientes con ofertas. For something that has just happened, use the present perfect: yo he atraído la atención de todos.

How do I practise atraer?

Start with the present tense table, then drill the preterite and the imperfect, since those two past tenses cause the most mistakes. Try the atraer examples and quiz page for more sentences, and use the Spanish Verb Quiz to test the forms under pressure.

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