Edificar Conjugation in Spanish
edificar means "to build, to erect" in English, and it comes up when people talk about a house in the village, a temple on the hill, a school in the neighbourhood and a wall around the garden. This page gives you the complete conjugation of edificar 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. edificar is a spelling-changing (c → qu 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 edifico una casa en el pueblo. — "Every day, I build a house in the village." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: edificar
- English: to build, to erect
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → qu before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: edificando
- Past participle: edificado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + edificado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → qu before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of edificar with all six persons. The gerund is edificando and the past participle is edificado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | edifico |
| tú | edificas |
| él/ella/Ud. | edifica |
| nosotros/as | edificamos |
| vosotros/as | edificáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edifican |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | edifiqué |
| tú | edificaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | edificó |
| nosotros/as | edificamos |
| vosotros/as | edificasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edificaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | edificaba |
| tú | edificabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | edificaba |
| nosotros/as | edificábamos |
| vosotros/as | edificabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edificaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | edificaré |
| tú | edificarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | edificará |
| nosotros/as | edificaremos |
| vosotros/as | edificaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edificarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | edificaría |
| tú | edificarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | edificaría |
| nosotros/as | edificaríamos |
| vosotros/as | edificaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edificarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he edificado |
| tú | has edificado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha edificado |
| nosotros/as | hemos edificado |
| vosotros/as | habéis edificado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han edificado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había edificado |
| tú | habías edificado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había edificado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos edificado |
| vosotros/as | habíais edificado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían edificado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré edificado |
| tú | habrás edificado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá edificado |
| nosotros/as | habremos edificado |
| vosotros/as | habréis edificado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán edificado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría edificado |
| tú | habrías edificado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría edificado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos edificado |
| vosotros/as | habríais edificado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían edificado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | edifique |
| tú | edifiques |
| él/ella/Ud. | edifique |
| nosotros/as | edifiquemos |
| vosotros/as | edifiquéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edifiquen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | edificara |
| tú | edificaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | edificara |
| nosotros/as | edificáramos |
| vosotros/as | edificarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edificaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | edifica |
| él/ella/Ud. | edifique |
| nosotros/as | edifiquemos |
| vosotros/as | edificad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edifiquen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | edifiques |
| él/ella/Ud. | edifique |
| nosotros/as | edifiquemos |
| vosotros/as | edifiquéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | edifiquen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about edificar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of edificar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo edifico una casa en el pueblo. — "Every day, I build a house in the village." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo edifiqué un templo en la colina. — "Yesterday, I built a temple on the hill." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is edifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example edifique. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of edificar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo edificaba una escuela en el barrio. — "In the past, I used to build a school in the neighbourhood." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros edificaremos un muro alrededor del jardín. — "Tomorrow, we will build a wall around the garden." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú edificarías una casa en el pueblo. — "If you could, you would build a house in the village." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he edificado un templo en la colina. — "I have built a temple on the hill." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había edificado una escuela en el barrio. — "Before the party, I had built a school in the neighbourhood." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré edificado un muro alrededor del jardín. — "By tomorrow, I will have built a wall around the garden." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría edificado una casa en el pueblo. — "If I had been able to, I would have built a house in the village." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él edifique un templo en la colina. — "I hope that he/she builds a temple on the hill." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is edifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example edifique. 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 edificar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él edificara una escuela en el barrio, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she built a school in the neighbourhood, everything would turn out better." For edificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem edific- 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 edificar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Edifica un muro alrededor del jardín! — "Build a wall around the garden!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is edifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example edifique. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of edificar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No edifiques una casa en el pueblo. — "Do not build a house in the village." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is edifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example edifique. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: edificar in real sentences
Ten sentences with edificar, 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 edifico una casa en el pueblo. — "Every day, I build a house in the village." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo edifiqué un templo en la colina. — "Yesterday, I built a temple on the hill." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo edificaba una escuela en el barrio. — "In the past, I used to build a school in the neighbourhood." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros edificaremos un muro alrededor del jardín. — "Tomorrow, we will build a wall around the garden." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú edificarías una casa en el pueblo. — "If you could, you would build a house in the village." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he edificado un templo en la colina. — "I have built a temple on the hill." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él edifique una escuela en el barrio. — "I hope that he/she builds a school in the neighbourhood." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él edificara un muro alrededor del jardín, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she built a wall around the garden, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Edifica una casa en el pueblo! — "Build a house in the village!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy edificando un templo en la colina. — "Now, I am building a temple on the hill." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with edificar
The errors learners actually make with edificar, 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 edifico una casa en el pueblo.
- Right: Yo edifico una casa en el pueblo.
- Why: edificar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo edifico una casa en el pueblo. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the qu spelling change in the preterite
- Wrong: Ayer, yo edificé una casa en el pueblo.
- Right: Ayer, yo edifiqué una casa en el pueblo.
- Why: The c becomes qu before e to keep the hard sound, so the yo preterite is edifiqué, never edificé. The same qu appears in the subjunctive (edifique).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo edifico un templo en la colina.
- Right: Ayer, yo edifiqué un templo en la colina.
- 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 edifiqué un templo en la colina. — "Yesterday, I built a temple on the hill."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy edificado una escuela en el barrio.
- Right: Estoy edificando una escuela en el barrio.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund edificando for the progressive. The participle edificado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he edificado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros edifica una casa en el pueblo.
- Right: Nosotros edificamos una casa en el pueblo.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes edificamos, while edifica belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: edificar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on edificar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of edificar in the present tense?
- (a) edifico
- (b) edificas
- (c) edifica
- (d) edificamos
Answer: (a) edifico. The yo form is edifico. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of edificar in the present tense?
- (a) edifico
- (b) edifica
- (c) edificamos
- (d) edificas
Answer: (d) edificas. The tú form is edificas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of edificar in the present tense?
- (a) edificas
- (b) edificamos
- (c) edifica
- (d) edifico
Answer: (c) edifica. The él/ella form is edifica. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of edificar in the present tense?
- (a) edifica
- (b) edificamos
- (c) edifico
- (d) edificas
Answer: (b) edificamos. The nosotros form is edificamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of edificar in the present tense?
- (a) edifican
- (b) edifico
- (c) edificas
- (d) edifica
Answer: (a) edifican. The ellos/ellas form is edifican. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of edificar?
- (a) edificando
- (b) edificado
- (c) edifico
- (d) edificar
Answer: (a) edificando. The gerund is edificando, used for the progressive: estoy edificando.
7. What is the past participle of edificar?
- (a) edificando
- (b) edifiqué
- (c) edificar
- (d) edificado
Answer: (d) edificado. The past participle is edificado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he edificado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ una casa en el pueblo.
- (a) edifica
- (b) edificamos
- (c) edifico
- (d) edificas
Answer: (c) edifico. The sentence needs the yo form edifico (Every day, I build a house in the village.)
9. What is the yo form of edificar in the preterite?
- (a) edificamos
- (b) edifiqué
- (c) edificaste
- (d) edificó
Answer: (b) edifiqué. The yo preterite is edifiqué. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ una escuela en el barrio.
- (a) edifiques
- (b) edifiquemos
- (c) edifiquéis
- (d) edifique
Answer: (d) edifique. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is edifique.
Frequently asked questions about edificar
Is edificar regular?
Almost. edificar is a spelling-changing (c → qu before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is edifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example edifique. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does edificar mean, and when do I use it?
edificar means "to build, to erect" in English. Use it when you talk about a house in the village, a temple on the hill, a school in the neighbourhood and a wall around the garden — for example: Yo edifico una casa en el pueblo. — "I build a house in the village." 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 edifico una casa en el pueblo. — "I build a house in the village." 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 edificar?
No. edificar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo edifico una casa en el pueblo. — "I build a house in the village." 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 edificar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo edifico una casa en el pueblo. — "I build a house in the village." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo edifiqué una casa en el pueblo. — "Yesterday, I built a house in the village." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.