Atrasarse Conjugation in Spanish
atrasarse means "to fall behind" in English, and it comes up when people talk about work because of the traffic, his studies because of the illness, the rent payment and the project delivery. This page gives you the complete conjugation of atrasarse 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. atrasarse 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 atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "Every day, I fall behind at work because of the traffic." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: atrasarse
- English: to fall behind
- Verb type: Reflexive regular -ar verb
- Gerund: atrasando
- Past participle: atrasado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + atrasado)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
Full conjugation table
Every tense of atrasarse with all six persons. The gerund is atrasando and the past participle is atrasado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | atraso |
| tú | atrasas |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrasa |
| nosotros/as | atrasamos |
| vosotros/as | atrasáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | atrasé |
| tú | atrasaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrasó |
| nosotros/as | atrasamos |
| vosotros/as | atrasasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | atrasaba |
| tú | atrasabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrasaba |
| nosotros/as | atrasábamos |
| vosotros/as | atrasabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | atrasaré |
| tú | atrasarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrasará |
| nosotros/as | atrasaremos |
| vosotros/as | atrasaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | atrasaría |
| tú | atrasarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrasaría |
| nosotros/as | atrasaríamos |
| vosotros/as | atrasaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he atrasado |
| tú | has atrasado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha atrasado |
| nosotros/as | hemos atrasado |
| vosotros/as | habéis atrasado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han atrasado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había atrasado |
| tú | habías atrasado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había atrasado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos atrasado |
| vosotros/as | habíais atrasado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían atrasado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré atrasado |
| tú | habrás atrasado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá atrasado |
| nosotros/as | habremos atrasado |
| vosotros/as | habréis atrasado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán atrasado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría atrasado |
| tú | habrías atrasado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría atrasado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos atrasado |
| vosotros/as | habríais atrasado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían atrasado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | atrase |
| tú | atrases |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrase |
| nosotros/as | atrasemos |
| vosotros/as | atraséis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | atrasara |
| tú | atrasaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrasara |
| nosotros/as | atrasáramos |
| vosotros/as | atrasarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | atrasa |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrase |
| nosotros/as | atrasemos |
| vosotros/as | atrasad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | atrases |
| él/ella/Ud. | atrase |
| nosotros/as | atrasemos |
| vosotros/as | atraséis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | atrasen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about atrasarse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of atrasarse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "Every day, I fall behind at work because of the traffic." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me atrasé en los estudios por la enfermedad. — "Yesterday, I fell behind in his studies because of the illness." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me atrasaba en el pago del alquiler. — "In the past, I used to fall behind with the rent payment." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos atrasaremos en la entrega del proyecto. — "Tomorrow, we will fall behind with the project delivery." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te atrasarías en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "If you could, you would fall behind at work because of the traffic." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he atrasado en los estudios por la enfermedad. — "I have fallen behind in his studies because of the illness." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había atrasado en el pago del alquiler. — "Before the party, I had fallen behind with the rent payment." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré atrasado en la entrega del proyecto. — "By tomorrow, I will have fallen behind with the project delivery." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría atrasado en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "If I had been able to, I would have fallen behind at work because of the traffic." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se atrase en los estudios por la enfermedad. — "I hope that he/she falls behind in his studies because of the illness." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se atrasara en el pago del alquiler, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she fell behind with the rent payment, everything would turn out better." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se atrase en la entrega del proyecto! — "Let him/her fall behind with the project delivery!" For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- 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 atrasarse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te atrases en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "Do not fall behind at work because of the traffic." For atrasarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem atras- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: atrasarse in real sentences
Ten sentences with atrasarse, 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 atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "Every day, I fall behind at work because of the traffic." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me atrasé en los estudios por la enfermedad. — "Yesterday, I fell behind in his studies because of the illness." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me atrasaba en el pago del alquiler. — "In the past, I used to fall behind with the rent payment." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos atrasaremos en la entrega del proyecto. — "Tomorrow, we will fall behind with the project delivery." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te atrasarías en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "If you could, you would fall behind at work because of the traffic." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he atrasado en los estudios por la enfermedad. — "I have fallen behind in his studies because of the illness." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se atrase en el pago del alquiler. — "I hope that he/she falls behind with the rent payment." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se atrasara en la entrega del proyecto, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she fell behind with the project delivery, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te atrases en el trabajo por el tráfico! — "Do not fall behind at work because of the traffic!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy atrasando en los estudios por la enfermedad. — "Now, I am fallling behind in his studies because of the illness." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with atrasarse
The errors learners actually make with atrasarse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico.
- Right: Yo me atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico.
- Why: atrasarse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico.. 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 atrasais en el trabajo por el tráfico.
- Right: Vosotros os atrasáis en el trabajo por el tráfico.
- Why: The vosotros form atrasáis 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 atraso en los estudios por la enfermedad.
- Right: Ayer, yo me atrasé en los estudios por la enfermedad.
- 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 atrasé en los estudios por la enfermedad. — "Yesterday, I fell behind in his studies because of the illness."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy atrasado en el pago del alquiler.
- Right: Me estoy atrasando en el pago del alquiler.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund atrasando for the progressive. The participle atrasado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he atrasado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros nos atrasa en el trabajo por el tráfico.
- Right: Nosotros nos atrasamos en el trabajo por el tráfico.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes atrasamos, while atrasa belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: atrasarse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on atrasarse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of atrasarse in the present tense?
- (a) atraso
- (b) atrasas
- (c) atrasa
- (d) atrasamos
Answer: (a) atraso. The yo form is atraso. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of atrasarse in the present tense?
- (a) atraso
- (b) atrasa
- (c) atrasamos
- (d) atrasas
Answer: (d) atrasas. The tú form is atrasas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of atrasarse in the present tense?
- (a) atrasas
- (b) atrasamos
- (c) atrasa
- (d) atraso
Answer: (c) atrasa. The él/ella form is atrasa. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of atrasarse in the present tense?
- (a) atrasa
- (b) atrasamos
- (c) atraso
- (d) atrasas
Answer: (b) atrasamos. The nosotros form is atrasamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of atrasarse in the present tense?
- (a) atrasan
- (b) atraso
- (c) atrasas
- (d) atrasa
Answer: (a) atrasan. The ellos/ellas form is atrasan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of atrasarse?
- (a) atrasando
- (b) atrasado
- (c) atraso
- (d) atrasarse
Answer: (a) atrasando. The gerund is atrasando, used for the progressive: me estoy atrasando.
7. What is the past participle of atrasarse?
- (a) atrasando
- (b) atrasé
- (c) atrasarse
- (d) atrasado
Answer: (d) atrasado. The past participle is atrasado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he atrasado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ en el trabajo por el tráfico.
- (a) atrasa
- (b) atrasamos
- (c) atraso
- (d) atrasas
Answer: (c) atraso. The sentence needs the yo form atraso (Every day, I fall behind at work because of the traffic.)
9. What is the yo form of atrasarse in the preterite?
- (a) atrasamos
- (b) atrasé
- (c) atrasaste
- (d) atrasó
Answer: (b) atrasé. The yo preterite is atrasé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ en el pago del alquiler.
- (a) atrases
- (b) atrasemos
- (c) atraséis
- (d) atrase
Answer: (d) atrase. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is atrase.
Frequently asked questions about atrasarse
Is atrasarse regular?
Yes. atrasarse is a regular -ar verb: atraso, atrasé, atrasaba, atrasaré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does atrasarse mean, and when do I use it?
atrasarse means "to fall behind" in English. Use it when you talk about work because of the traffic, his studies because of the illness, the rent payment and the project delivery — for example: Yo me atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "I fall behind at work because of the traffic." 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 atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "I fall behind at work because of the traffic." 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 atrasarse reflexive?
Yes. atrasarse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "I fall behind at work because of the traffic." 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 atrasarse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me atraso en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "I fall behind at work because of the traffic." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me atrasé en el trabajo por el tráfico. — "Yesterday, I fell behind at work because of the traffic." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.