Introduction
Definir means “to define”, and it is one of the verbs you will use again and again in Spanish. Definir means to define, and it is used for giving the meaning of a word, defining a problem, and defining a style: definir una palabra, definir el problema. It is a regular -ir verb, common in school, science and work. This page shows definir in real sentences, in short dialogues, and in the mistakes learners make most often, and it finishes with a ten-question quiz so you can test yourself. Every sentence below comes with its English translation, and every form is the correct present-tense form unless the sentence is clearly marked as past or future. For a first taste: “Defino una palabra difícil.” — I define a difficult word.
Definir in real example sentences
The twelve sentences below are grouped by how definir is used. Read each one out loud, then read the translation. If a sentence feels useful, copy it into your own notebook with one small change — a different time, a different person, a different place — and you have a new sentence of your own.
In the present: everyday use
These sentences use definir in the present tense, which is how you will meet it most often: routines, facts, and things happening now.
“Defino una palabra difícil.” — I define a difficult word.
“¿Defines el problema con claridad?” — Do you define the problem clearly?
“Define los objetivos del proyecto.” — He/she defines the project's objectives.
“Nosotros definimos su estilo en tres palabras.” — We define his style in three words.
Talking about the past
The present is not the only tense you need. These sentences show definir in the past, so you can talk about what already happened.
“Ayer, yo definí una palabra difícil.” — Yesterday, I defined a difficult word. (preterite)
“Antes, él definía el problema con claridad.” — Before, he used to define the problem clearly. (imperfect)
Plans and things already done
These sentences look forward, or look back at something already finished. Notice how the verb form changes while the meaning of definir stays the same.
“Mañana, nosotros definiremos los objetivos del proyecto.” — Tomorrow, we will define the project's objectives. (future)
“¿Tú has definido su estilo en tres palabras?” — Have you defined his style in three words? (present perfect)
More everyday uses
Four more present-tense sentences, covering the remaining persons, so you can see the whole table in action.
“Vosotros definís una palabra difícil.” — You define a difficult word.
“Ellos definen el problema con claridad.” — They define the problem clearly.
“Yo defino los objetivos del proyecto.” — I define the project's objectives.
“Mi padre define su estilo en tres palabras.” — My father defines his style in three words.
Definir in context
Single sentences teach you the forms. Dialogues teach you when to use them. Read the short conversation below, then the paragraph that follows, and notice how definir appears naturally, without anyone stopping to think about conjugation.
A short dialogue
Marta: “¿Tú defines el problema con claridad?” — Do you define the problem clearly?
Pedro: “Sí, yo defino una palabra difícil.” — Yes, I define a difficult word.
Marta: “Nosotros definimos su estilo en tres palabras.” — We define his style in three words.
Pedro: “Y ellos definen el problema con claridad.” — And they define the problem clearly.
Marta: “Vosotros definís los objetivos del proyecto.” — You define the project's objectives.
Pedro: “Sí, y él define una palabra difícil.” — Yes, and he defines a difficult word.
A short paragraph
Define una palabra difícil, y nosotros definimos su estilo en tres palabras. Yo defino el problema con claridad, y ellos definen los objetivos del proyecto. Definir is part of everyday life, because define is something people do in work, at home and with friends, in the present, the past and the future.
Common mistakes with definir
These are the errors learners actually make with definir. Each one shows the wrong version, the right version, and why the correction matters.
Wrong: “Yo define una palabra difícil.” Right: “Yo defino una palabra difícil.” Why: The person matters: define is the él/ella/Ud. form, while the yo form is defino. Using the third-person form with yo is one of the most common beginner errors.
Wrong: “Ayer yo defino el problema con claridad.” Right: “Ayer yo definí el problema con claridad.” Why: The present and the preterite are different tenses: defino is happening now, while definí is a finished action in the past. Use the preterite with ayer.
Wrong: “Treating definir and explicar as identical in every context.” Right: “Definir means to define, while explicar means to explain.” Why: They overlap, but each has uses the other does not: definir fits sentences such as Defino una palabra difícil, while explicar belongs in a different sentence. Check the meaning you want before choosing.
Wrong: “Yo soy definido el problema con claridad.” Right: “Yo he definido el problema con claridad.” Why: Spanish perfect tenses use haber, not ser: he definido, has definido, ha definido. Ser plus the participle makes a passive, not a perfect tense.
Wrong: “De niño, yo definí los objetivos del proyecto todos los días.” Right: “De niño, yo definía los objetivos del proyecto todos los días.” Why: For a repeated habit in the past, use the imperfect (definía), not the preterite. The preterite (definí) is for one finished action.
Quiz: definir in use
Ten questions on definir in real sentences. Choose the correct answer for each one, then check the answer key. Every answer is explained.
1. Complete the sentence: “Vosotros ______ una palabra difícil.” (You define a difficult word.)
- (a) definís
- (b) defino
- (c) defines
Answer: definís — The vosotros/as form of definir in the present tense is definís.
2. Complete the sentence: “Ellos ______ el problema con claridad.” (They define the problem clearly.)
- (a) defines
- (b) definen
- (c) defino
Answer: definen — The ellos/ellas/Uds. form of definir in the present tense is definen.
3. Complete the sentence (preterite): “Ayer yo ______ una palabra difícil.” (Yesterday I defined a difficult word.)
- (a) definiste
- (b) definió
- (c) definí
Answer: definí — In the preterite, the yo form of definir is definí.
4. Complete the sentence (imperfect): “Antes, él ______ el problema con claridad.” (Before, he used to define the problem clearly.)
- (a) definía
- (b) defino
- (c) definías
Answer: definía — In the imperfect, the él/ella/Ud. form of definir is definía.
5. Complete the sentence (future): “Mañana, nosotros ______ los objetivos del proyecto.” (Tomorrow we will define the project's objectives.)
- (a) definirás
- (b) definiremos
- (c) definiré
Answer: definiremos — In the future, the nosotros/as form of definir is definiremos.
6. What does definir mean in English?
- (a) to define
- (b) to constitute
- (c) to explain
Answer: to define — Definir means “to define”. The other options are the meanings of different verbs.
7. Which sentence is correct?
- (a) Yo define una palabra difícil.
- (b) Ellos define el problema con claridad.
- (c) Yo defino una palabra difícil.
Answer: Yo defino una palabra difícil. — “Yo defino una palabra difícil.” is correct. The other two sentences contain the mistakes explained in the section above.
8. How do you say “I define a difficult word.” in Spanish?
- (a) Mi padre define su estilo en tres palabras.
- (b) Defino una palabra difícil.
- (c) Definen una palabra difícil.
Answer: Defino una palabra difícil. — “Defino una palabra difícil.” is the correct translation.
9. What is the nosotros form of definir in the present tense?
- (a) defino
- (b) defines
- (c) definimos
Answer: definimos — The nosotros form is definimos.
10. Which of these sentences is in the present tense?
- (a) Mañana, nosotros definiremos los objetivos del proyecto.
- (b) Defino una palabra difícil.
- (c) Ayer, yo definí una palabra difícil.
Answer: Defino una palabra difícil. — “Defino una palabra difícil.” is in the present tense. The other two are in the preterite and the future.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say 'I define a difficult word' in Spanish?
Say 'Defino una palabra difícil'. For a routine, add a time expression: 'Defino una palabra difícil todos los días'.
How do you say 'He defines the problem clearly' in Spanish?
Say 'Él define el problema con claridad'. The subject comes first, and the verb agrees with it: él takes define.
What is the difference between definir and explicar?
Definir means to define, while explicar means to explain. They are easy to confuse because they appear in similar situations, but they are not interchangeable: use definir when you mean to define, as in 'Defino una palabra difícil', and use explicar for to explain.
Related pages
- Full conjugation of definir — every tense of definir in one place.
- Definir in the present tense — the full table and usage rules for one tense.
- Spanish verbs — the hub for every Spanish verb on VerbFlow.
- Verb quiz — test yourself on definir and other verbs.
- Conjugation practice — drill the forms of definir until they are automatic.