Carecer Conjugation in Spanish
carecer means "to lack" in English, and it comes up when people talk about money for the trip, experience at work, a sense of humour and time to study. This page gives you the complete conjugation of carecer 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. carecer is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er 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 carezco de dinero para el viaje. — "Every day, I lack of money for the trip." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: carecer
- English: to lack
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: careciendo
- Past participle: carecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + carecido)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of carecer with all six persons. The gerund is careciendo and the past participle is carecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | carezco |
| tú | careces |
| él/ella/Ud. | carece |
| nosotros/as | carecemos |
| vosotros/as | carecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | carecí |
| tú | careciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | careció |
| nosotros/as | carecimos |
| vosotros/as | carecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | carecía |
| tú | carecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | carecía |
| nosotros/as | carecíamos |
| vosotros/as | carecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | careceré |
| tú | carecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | carecerá |
| nosotros/as | careceremos |
| vosotros/as | careceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | carecería |
| tú | carecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | carecería |
| nosotros/as | careceríamos |
| vosotros/as | careceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he carecido |
| tú | has carecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha carecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos carecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis carecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han carecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había carecido |
| tú | habías carecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había carecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos carecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais carecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían carecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré carecido |
| tú | habrás carecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá carecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos carecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis carecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán carecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría carecido |
| tú | habrías carecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría carecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos carecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais carecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían carecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | carezca |
| tú | carezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | carezca |
| nosotros/as | carezcamos |
| vosotros/as | carecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | careciera |
| tú | carecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | careciera |
| nosotros/as | careciéramos |
| vosotros/as | carecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | carece |
| él/ella/Ud. | carezca |
| nosotros/as | carezcamos |
| vosotros/as | careced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | carezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | carezca |
| nosotros/as | carezcamos |
| vosotros/as | carecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | carezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about carecer in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of carecer is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo carezco de dinero para el viaje. — "Every day, I lack of money for the trip." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is carezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example carezca. 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 carecer is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo carecí de experiencia en el trabajo. — "Yesterday, I lackked of experience at work." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo carecía de sentido del humor. — "In the past, I used to lack of a sense of humour." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros careceremos de tiempo para estudiar. — "Tomorrow, we will lack of time to study." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú carecerías de dinero para el viaje. — "If you could, you would lack of money for the trip." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he carecido de experiencia en el trabajo. — "I have lackked of experience at work." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había carecido de sentido del humor. — "Before the party, I had lackked of a sense of humour." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré carecido de tiempo para estudiar. — "By tomorrow, I will have lackked of time to study." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría carecido de dinero para el viaje. — "If I had been able to, I would have lackked of money for the trip." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él carezca de experiencia en el trabajo. — "I hope that he/she lacks of experience at work." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is carezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example carezca. 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 carecer is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él careciera de sentido del humor, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she lackked of a sense of humour, everything would turn out better." For carecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem carec- 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 carecer is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Carece de tiempo para estudiar! — "Lack of time to study!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is carezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example carezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of carecer is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No carezcas de dinero para el viaje. — "Do not lack of money for the trip." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is carezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example carezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: carecer in real sentences
Ten sentences with carecer, 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 carezco de dinero para el viaje. — "Every day, I lack of money for the trip." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo carecí de experiencia en el trabajo. — "Yesterday, I lackked of experience at work." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo carecía de sentido del humor. — "In the past, I used to lack of a sense of humour." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros careceremos de tiempo para estudiar. — "Tomorrow, we will lack of time to study." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú carecerías de dinero para el viaje. — "If you could, you would lack of money for the trip." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he carecido de experiencia en el trabajo. — "I have lackked of experience at work." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él carezca de sentido del humor. — "I hope that he/she lacks of a sense of humour." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él careciera de tiempo para estudiar, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she lackked of time to study, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Carece de dinero para el viaje! — "Lack of money for the trip!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy careciendo de experiencia en el trabajo. — "Now, I am lackking of experience at work." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with carecer
The errors learners actually make with carecer, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me carezco de dinero para el viaje.
- Right: Yo carezco de dinero para el viaje.
- Why: carecer is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo carezco de dinero para el viaje. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo careco de dinero para el viaje.
- Right: Yo carezco de dinero para el viaje.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is carezco, never careco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (carezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo carezco de experiencia en el trabajo.
- Right: Ayer, yo carecí de experiencia en el trabajo.
- 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 carecí de experiencia en el trabajo. — "Yesterday, I lackked of experience at work."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy carecido de sentido del humor.
- Right: Estoy careciendo de sentido del humor.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund careciendo for the progressive. The participle carecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he carecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros carece de dinero para el viaje.
- Right: Nosotros carecemos de dinero para el viaje.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes carecemos, while carece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: carecer conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on carecer. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of carecer in the present tense?
- (a) carezco
- (b) careces
- (c) carece
- (d) carecemos
Answer: (a) carezco. The yo form is carezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of carecer in the present tense?
- (a) carezco
- (b) carece
- (c) carecemos
- (d) careces
Answer: (d) careces. The tú form is careces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of carecer in the present tense?
- (a) careces
- (b) carecemos
- (c) carece
- (d) carezco
Answer: (c) carece. The él/ella form is carece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of carecer in the present tense?
- (a) carece
- (b) carecemos
- (c) carezco
- (d) careces
Answer: (b) carecemos. The nosotros form is carecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of carecer in the present tense?
- (a) carecen
- (b) carezco
- (c) careces
- (d) carece
Answer: (a) carecen. The ellos/ellas form is carecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of carecer?
- (a) careciendo
- (b) carecido
- (c) carezco
- (d) carecer
Answer: (a) careciendo. The gerund is careciendo, used for the progressive: estoy careciendo.
7. What is the past participle of carecer?
- (a) careciendo
- (b) carecí
- (c) carecer
- (d) carecido
Answer: (d) carecido. The past participle is carecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he carecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ de dinero para el viaje.
- (a) carece
- (b) carecemos
- (c) carezco
- (d) careces
Answer: (c) carezco. The sentence needs the yo form carezco (Every day, I lack of money for the trip.)
9. What is the yo form of carecer in the preterite?
- (a) carecimos
- (b) carecí
- (c) careciste
- (d) careció
Answer: (b) carecí. The yo preterite is carecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ de sentido del humor.
- (a) carezcas
- (b) carezcamos
- (c) carecáis
- (d) carezca
Answer: (d) carezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is carezca.
Frequently asked questions about carecer
Is carecer regular?
Almost. carecer is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is carezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example carezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does carecer mean, and when do I use it?
carecer means "to lack" in English. Use it when you talk about money for the trip, experience at work, a sense of humour and time to study — for example: Yo carezco de dinero para el viaje. — "I lack of money for the trip." 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 carezco de dinero para el viaje. — "I lack of money for the trip." 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 there a reflexive form of carecer?
No. carecer is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo carezco de dinero para el viaje. — "I lack of money for the trip." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with carecer?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo carezco de dinero para el viaje. — "I lack of money for the trip." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo carecí de dinero para el viaje. — "Yesterday, I lackked of money for the trip." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.