Compadecerse Conjugation in Spanish
compadecerse means "to feel sorry for" in English, and it comes up when people talk about his sick brother, the homeless children, his sad friend and the lonely old people. This page gives you the complete conjugation of compadecerse 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. compadecerse is a Reflexive 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 me compadezco de su hermano enfermo. — "Every day, I feel sorry for of his sick brother." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: compadecerse
- English: to feel sorry for
- Verb type: Reflexive spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: compadeciendo
- Past participle: compadecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + compadecido)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of compadecerse with all six persons. The gerund is compadeciendo and the past participle is compadecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | compadezco |
| tú | compadeces |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadece |
| nosotros/as | compadecemos |
| vosotros/as | compadecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | compadecí |
| tú | compadeciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadeció |
| nosotros/as | compadecimos |
| vosotros/as | compadecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | compadecía |
| tú | compadecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadecía |
| nosotros/as | compadecíamos |
| vosotros/as | compadecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | compadeceré |
| tú | compadecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadecerá |
| nosotros/as | compadeceremos |
| vosotros/as | compadeceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | compadecería |
| tú | compadecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadecería |
| nosotros/as | compadeceríamos |
| vosotros/as | compadeceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he compadecido |
| tú | has compadecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha compadecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos compadecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis compadecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han compadecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había compadecido |
| tú | habías compadecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había compadecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos compadecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais compadecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían compadecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré compadecido |
| tú | habrás compadecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá compadecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos compadecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis compadecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán compadecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría compadecido |
| tú | habrías compadecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría compadecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos compadecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais compadecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían compadecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | compadezca |
| tú | compadezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadezca |
| nosotros/as | compadezcamos |
| vosotros/as | compadecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | compadeciera |
| tú | compadecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadeciera |
| nosotros/as | compadeciéramos |
| vosotros/as | compadecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | compadece |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadezca |
| nosotros/as | compadezcamos |
| vosotros/as | compadeced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | compadezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | compadezca |
| nosotros/as | compadezcamos |
| vosotros/as | compadecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | compadezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about compadecerse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of compadecerse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me compadezco de su hermano enfermo. — "Every day, I feel sorry for of his sick brother." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is compadezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example compadezca. 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 compadecerse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me compadecí de los niños sin hogar. — "Yesterday, I feeled sorry for of the homeless children." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me compadecía de su amiga triste. — "In the past, I used to feel sorry for of his sad friend." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos compadeceremos de los ancianos solos. — "Tomorrow, we will feel sorry for of the lonely old people." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te compadecerías de su hermano enfermo. — "If you could, you would feel sorry for of his sick brother." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he compadecido de los niños sin hogar. — "I have feeled sorry for of the homeless children." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había compadecido de su amiga triste. — "Before the party, I had feeled sorry for of his sad friend." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré compadecido de los ancianos solos. — "By tomorrow, I will have feeled sorry for of the lonely old people." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría compadecido de su hermano enfermo. — "If I had been able to, I would have feeled sorry for of his sick brother." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se compadezca de los niños sin hogar. — "I hope that he/she feels sorry for of the homeless children." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is compadezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example compadezca. 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 compadecerse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se compadeciera de su amiga triste, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she feeled sorry for of his sad friend, everything would turn out better." For compadecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem compadec- 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 compadecerse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se compadezca de los ancianos solos! — "Let him/her feel sorry for of the lonely old people!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is compadezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example compadezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of compadecerse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te compadezcas de su hermano enfermo. — "Do not feel sorry for of his sick brother." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is compadezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example compadezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: compadecerse in real sentences
Ten sentences with compadecerse, 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 compadezco de su hermano enfermo. — "Every day, I feel sorry for of his sick brother." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me compadecí de los niños sin hogar. — "Yesterday, I feeled sorry for of the homeless children." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me compadecía de su amiga triste. — "In the past, I used to feel sorry for of his sad friend." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos compadeceremos de los ancianos solos. — "Tomorrow, we will feel sorry for of the lonely old people." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te compadecerías de su hermano enfermo. — "If you could, you would feel sorry for of his sick brother." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he compadecido de los niños sin hogar. — "I have feeled sorry for of the homeless children." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se compadezca de su amiga triste. — "I hope that he/she feels sorry for of his sad friend." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se compadeciera de los ancianos solos, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she feeled sorry for of the lonely old people, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te compadezcas de su hermano enfermo! — "Do not feel sorry for of his sick brother!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy compadeciendo de los niños sin hogar. — "Now, I am feeling sorry for of the homeless children." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with compadecerse
The errors learners actually make with compadecerse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo compadezco de su hermano enfermo.
- Right: Yo me compadezco de su hermano enfermo.
- Why: compadecerse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me compadezco de su hermano enfermo.. Without me the sentence is incomplete, and it sounds as if the action happens to someone else.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo me compadeco de su hermano enfermo.
- Right: Yo me compadezco de su hermano enfermo.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is compadezco, never compadeco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (compadezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo me compadezco de los niños sin hogar.
- Right: Ayer, yo me compadecí de los niños sin hogar.
- 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 compadecí de los niños sin hogar. — "Yesterday, I feeled sorry for of the homeless children."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy compadecido de su amiga triste.
- Right: Me estoy compadeciendo de su amiga triste.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund compadeciendo for the progressive. The participle compadecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he compadecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Confusing compadecerse with compadecer
- Wrong: Yo compadezco de su hermano enfermo.
- Right: Yo me compadezco de su hermano enfermo.
- Why: compadecerse (to feel sorry for) and compadecer are partners, not the same verb. compadecerse means "to feel sorry for", while the other form is used when the action is done to someone else. Use the reflexive pronoun when the action comes back to the subject.
Quiz: compadecerse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on compadecerse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of compadecerse in the present tense?
- (a) compadece
- (b) compadecemos
- (c) compadezco
- (d) compadeces
Answer: (c) compadezco. The yo form is compadezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of compadecerse in the present tense?
- (a) compadecemos
- (b) compadeces
- (c) compadezco
- (d) compadece
Answer: (b) compadeces. The tú form is compadeces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of compadecerse in the present tense?
- (a) compadece
- (b) compadezco
- (c) compadeces
- (d) compadecemos
Answer: (a) compadece. The él/ella form is compadece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of compadecerse in the present tense?
- (a) compadezco
- (b) compadeces
- (c) compadece
- (d) compadecemos
Answer: (d) compadecemos. The nosotros form is compadecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of compadecerse in the present tense?
- (a) compadeces
- (b) compadece
- (c) compadecen
- (d) compadezco
Answer: (c) compadecen. The ellos/ellas form is compadecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of compadecerse?
- (a) compadezco
- (b) compadecerse
- (c) compadeciendo
- (d) compadecido
Answer: (c) compadeciendo. The gerund is compadeciendo, used for the progressive: me estoy compadeciendo.
7. What is the past participle of compadecerse?
- (a) compadecerse
- (b) compadecido
- (c) compadeciendo
- (d) compadecí
Answer: (b) compadecido. The past participle is compadecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he compadecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ de su hermano enfermo.
- (a) compadezco
- (b) compadeces
- (c) compadece
- (d) compadecemos
Answer: (a) compadezco. The sentence needs the yo form compadezco (Every day, I feel sorry for of his sick brother.)
9. What is the yo form of compadecerse in the preterite?
- (a) compadeciste
- (b) compadeció
- (c) compadecimos
- (d) compadecí
Answer: (d) compadecí. The yo preterite is compadecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ de su amiga triste.
- (a) compadecáis
- (b) compadezca
- (c) compadezcas
- (d) compadezcamos
Answer: (b) compadezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is compadezca.
Frequently asked questions about compadecerse
Is compadecerse regular?
Almost. compadecerse 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 compadezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example compadezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does compadecerse mean, and when do I use it?
compadecerse means "to feel sorry for" in English. Use it when you talk about his sick brother, the homeless children, his sad friend and the lonely old people — for example: Yo me compadezco de su hermano enfermo. — "I feel sorry for of his sick brother." 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 compadezco de su hermano enfermo. — "I feel sorry for of his sick brother." 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 compadecerse reflexive?
Yes. compadecerse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me compadezco de su hermano enfermo. — "I feel sorry for of his sick brother." 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 compadecerse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me compadezco de su hermano enfermo. — "I feel sorry for of his sick brother." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me compadecí de su hermano enfermo. — "Yesterday, I feeled sorry for of his sick brother." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.