Civilizar Conjugation in Spanish
civilizar means "to civilise" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the peoples of the region, the customs of the country, life in the city and the new colonies. This page gives you the complete conjugation of civilizar 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. civilizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -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 civilizo a los pueblos de la región. — "Every day, I civilise the peoples of the region." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: civilizar
- English: to civilise
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: civilizando
- Past participle: civilizado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + civilizado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of civilizar with all six persons. The gerund is civilizando and the past participle is civilizado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | civilizo |
| tú | civilizas |
| él/ella/Ud. | civiliza |
| nosotros/as | civilizamos |
| vosotros/as | civilizáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilizan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | civilicé |
| tú | civilizaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | civilizó |
| nosotros/as | civilizamos |
| vosotros/as | civilizasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilizaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | civilizaba |
| tú | civilizabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | civilizaba |
| nosotros/as | civilizábamos |
| vosotros/as | civilizabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilizaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | civilizaré |
| tú | civilizarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | civilizará |
| nosotros/as | civilizaremos |
| vosotros/as | civilizaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilizarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | civilizaría |
| tú | civilizarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | civilizaría |
| nosotros/as | civilizaríamos |
| vosotros/as | civilizaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilizarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he civilizado |
| tú | has civilizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha civilizado |
| nosotros/as | hemos civilizado |
| vosotros/as | habéis civilizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han civilizado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había civilizado |
| tú | habías civilizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había civilizado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos civilizado |
| vosotros/as | habíais civilizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían civilizado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré civilizado |
| tú | habrás civilizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá civilizado |
| nosotros/as | habremos civilizado |
| vosotros/as | habréis civilizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán civilizado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría civilizado |
| tú | habrías civilizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría civilizado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos civilizado |
| vosotros/as | habríais civilizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían civilizado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | civilice |
| tú | civilices |
| él/ella/Ud. | civilice |
| nosotros/as | civilicemos |
| vosotros/as | civilicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilicen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | civilizara |
| tú | civilizaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | civilizara |
| nosotros/as | civilizáramos |
| vosotros/as | civilizarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilizaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | civiliza |
| él/ella/Ud. | civilice |
| nosotros/as | civilicemos |
| vosotros/as | civilizad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilicen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | civilices |
| él/ella/Ud. | civilice |
| nosotros/as | civilicemos |
| vosotros/as | civilicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | civilicen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about civilizar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of civilizar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo civilizo a los pueblos de la región. — "Every day, I civilise the peoples of the region." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo civilicé las costumbres del país. — "Yesterday, I civilised the customs of the country." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is civilicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example civilice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of civilizar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo civilizaba la vida en la ciudad. — "In the past, I used to civilise life in the city." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros civilizaremos a las nuevas colonias. — "Tomorrow, we will civilise the new colonies." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú civilizarías a los pueblos de la región. — "If you could, you would civilise the peoples of the region." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he civilizado las costumbres del país. — "I have civilised the customs of the country." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había civilizado la vida en la ciudad. — "Before the party, I had civilised life in the city." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré civilizado a las nuevas colonias. — "By tomorrow, I will have civilised the new colonies." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría civilizado a los pueblos de la región. — "If I had been able to, I would have civilised the peoples of the region." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él civilice las costumbres del país. — "I hope that he/she civilises the customs of the country." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is civilicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example civilice. 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 civilizar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él civilizara la vida en la ciudad, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she civilised life in the city, everything would turn out better." For civilizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem civiliz- 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 civilizar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Civiliza a las nuevas colonias! — "Civilise the new colonies!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is civilicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example civilice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of civilizar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No civilices a los pueblos de la región. — "Do not civilise the peoples of the region." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is civilicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example civilice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: civilizar in real sentences
Ten sentences with civilizar, 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 civilizo a los pueblos de la región. — "Every day, I civilise the peoples of the region." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo civilicé las costumbres del país. — "Yesterday, I civilised the customs of the country." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo civilizaba la vida en la ciudad. — "In the past, I used to civilise life in the city." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros civilizaremos a las nuevas colonias. — "Tomorrow, we will civilise the new colonies." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú civilizarías a los pueblos de la región. — "If you could, you would civilise the peoples of the region." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he civilizado las costumbres del país. — "I have civilised the customs of the country." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él civilice la vida en la ciudad. — "I hope that he/she civilises life in the city." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él civilizara a las nuevas colonias, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she civilised the new colonies, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Civiliza a los pueblos de la región! — "Civilise the peoples of the region!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy civilizando las costumbres del país. — "Now, I am civilising the customs of the country." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with civilizar
The errors learners actually make with civilizar, 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 civilizo a los pueblos de la región.
- Right: Yo civilizo a los pueblos de la región.
- Why: civilizar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo civilizo a los pueblos de la región. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él civiliza las costumbres del país.
- Right: Espero que él civilice las costumbres del país.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for civilizar the subjunctive also changes z to c: civilice, not civiliza.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo civilizo las costumbres del país.
- Right: Ayer, yo civilicé las costumbres del país.
- 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 civilicé las costumbres del país. — "Yesterday, I civilised the customs of the country."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy civilizado la vida en la ciudad.
- Right: Estoy civilizando la vida en la ciudad.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund civilizando for the progressive. The participle civilizado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he civilizado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros civiliza a los pueblos de la región.
- Right: Nosotros civilizamos a los pueblos de la región.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes civilizamos, while civiliza belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: civilizar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on civilizar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of civilizar in the present tense?
- (a) civilizamos
- (b) civilizo
- (c) civilizas
- (d) civiliza
Answer: (b) civilizo. The yo form is civilizo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of civilizar in the present tense?
- (a) civilizas
- (b) civilizo
- (c) civiliza
- (d) civilizamos
Answer: (a) civilizas. The tú form is civilizas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of civilizar in the present tense?
- (a) civilizo
- (b) civilizas
- (c) civilizamos
- (d) civiliza
Answer: (d) civiliza. The él/ella form is civiliza. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of civilizar in the present tense?
- (a) civilizas
- (b) civiliza
- (c) civilizamos
- (d) civilizo
Answer: (c) civilizamos. The nosotros form is civilizamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of civilizar in the present tense?
- (a) civiliza
- (b) civilizan
- (c) civilizo
- (d) civilizas
Answer: (b) civilizan. The ellos/ellas form is civilizan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of civilizar?
- (a) civilizar
- (b) civilizando
- (c) civilizado
- (d) civilizo
Answer: (b) civilizando. The gerund is civilizando, used for the progressive: estoy civilizando.
7. What is the past participle of civilizar?
- (a) civilizado
- (b) civilizando
- (c) civilicé
- (d) civilizar
Answer: (a) civilizado. The past participle is civilizado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he civilizado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ a los pueblos de la región.
- (a) civilizas
- (b) civiliza
- (c) civilizamos
- (d) civilizo
Answer: (d) civilizo. The sentence needs the yo form civilizo (Every day, I civilise the peoples of the region.)
9. What is the yo form of civilizar in the preterite?
- (a) civilizó
- (b) civilizamos
- (c) civilicé
- (d) civilizaste
Answer: (c) civilicé. The yo preterite is civilicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la vida en la ciudad.
- (a) civilice
- (b) civilices
- (c) civilicemos
- (d) civilicéis
Answer: (a) civilice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is civilice.
Frequently asked questions about civilizar
Is civilizar regular?
Almost. civilizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is civilicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example civilice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does civilizar mean, and when do I use it?
civilizar means "to civilise" in English. Use it when you talk about the peoples of the region, the customs of the country, life in the city and the new colonies — for example: Yo civilizo a los pueblos de la región. — "I civilise the peoples of the region." 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 civilizo a los pueblos de la región. — "I civilise the peoples of the region." 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 civilizar?
No. civilizar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo civilizo a los pueblos de la región. — "I civilise the peoples of the region." 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 civilizar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo civilizo a los pueblos de la región. — "I civilise the peoples of the region." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo civilicé a los pueblos de la región. — "Yesterday, I civilised the peoples of the region." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.