Embellecer Conjugation in Spanish
embellecer means "to beautify" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the garden with flowers, the house with new pictures, the living room with lights and the city with parks. This page gives you the complete conjugation of embellecer 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. embellecer 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 embellezco el jardín con flores. — "Every day, I beautify the garden with flowers." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: embellecer
- English: to beautify
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: embelleciendo
- Past participle: embellecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + embellecido)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of embellecer with all six persons. The gerund is embelleciendo and the past participle is embellecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | embellezco |
| tú | embelleces |
| él/ella/Ud. | embellece |
| nosotros/as | embellecemos |
| vosotros/as | embellecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | embellecí |
| tú | embelleciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | embelleció |
| nosotros/as | embellecimos |
| vosotros/as | embellecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | embellecía |
| tú | embellecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | embellecía |
| nosotros/as | embellecíamos |
| vosotros/as | embellecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | embelleceré |
| tú | embellecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | embellecerá |
| nosotros/as | embelleceremos |
| vosotros/as | embelleceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | embellecería |
| tú | embellecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | embellecería |
| nosotros/as | embelleceríamos |
| vosotros/as | embelleceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he embellecido |
| tú | has embellecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha embellecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos embellecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis embellecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han embellecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había embellecido |
| tú | habías embellecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había embellecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos embellecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais embellecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían embellecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré embellecido |
| tú | habrás embellecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá embellecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos embellecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis embellecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán embellecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría embellecido |
| tú | habrías embellecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría embellecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos embellecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais embellecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían embellecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | embellezca |
| tú | embellezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | embellezca |
| nosotros/as | embellezcamos |
| vosotros/as | embellecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | embelleciera |
| tú | embellecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | embelleciera |
| nosotros/as | embelleciéramos |
| vosotros/as | embellecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | embellece |
| él/ella/Ud. | embellezca |
| nosotros/as | embellezcamos |
| vosotros/as | embelleced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | embellezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | embellezca |
| nosotros/as | embellezcamos |
| vosotros/as | embellecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | embellezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about embellecer in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of embellecer is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo embellezco el jardín con flores. — "Every day, I beautify the garden with flowers." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is embellezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example embellezca. 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 embellecer is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo embellecí la casa con cuadros nuevos. — "Yesterday, I beautified the house with new pictures." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo embellecía el salón con luces. — "In the past, I used to beautify the living room with lights." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros embelleceremos la ciudad con parques. — "Tomorrow, we will beautify the city with parks." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú embellecerías el jardín con flores. — "If you could, you would beautify the garden with flowers." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he embellecido la casa con cuadros nuevos. — "I have beautified the house with new pictures." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había embellecido el salón con luces. — "Before the party, I had beautified the living room with lights." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré embellecido la ciudad con parques. — "By tomorrow, I will have beautified the city with parks." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría embellecido el jardín con flores. — "If I had been able to, I would have beautified the garden with flowers." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él embellezca la casa con cuadros nuevos. — "I hope that he/she beautifies the house with new pictures." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is embellezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example embellezca. 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 embellecer is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él embelleciera el salón con luces, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she beautified the living room with lights, everything would turn out better." For embellecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem embellec- 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 embellecer is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Embellece la ciudad con parques! — "Beautify the city with parks!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is embellezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example embellezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of embellecer is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No embellezcas el jardín con flores. — "Do not beautify the garden with flowers." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is embellezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example embellezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: embellecer in real sentences
Ten sentences with embellecer, 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 embellezco el jardín con flores. — "Every day, I beautify the garden with flowers." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo embellecí la casa con cuadros nuevos. — "Yesterday, I beautified the house with new pictures." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo embellecía el salón con luces. — "In the past, I used to beautify the living room with lights." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros embelleceremos la ciudad con parques. — "Tomorrow, we will beautify the city with parks." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú embellecerías el jardín con flores. — "If you could, you would beautify the garden with flowers." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he embellecido la casa con cuadros nuevos. — "I have beautified the house with new pictures." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él embellezca el salón con luces. — "I hope that he/she beautifies the living room with lights." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él embelleciera la ciudad con parques, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she beautified the city with parks, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Embellece el jardín con flores! — "Beautify the garden with flowers!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy embelleciendo la casa con cuadros nuevos. — "Now, I am beautifying the house with new pictures." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with embellecer
The errors learners actually make with embellecer, 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 embellezco el jardín con flores.
- Right: Yo embellezco el jardín con flores.
- Why: embellecer is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo embellezco el jardín con flores. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo embelleco el jardín con flores.
- Right: Yo embellezco el jardín con flores.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is embellezco, never embelleco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (embellezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo embellezco la casa con cuadros nuevos.
- Right: Ayer, yo embellecí la casa con cuadros nuevos.
- 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 embellecí la casa con cuadros nuevos. — "Yesterday, I beautified the house with new pictures."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy embellecido el salón con luces.
- Right: Estoy embelleciendo el salón con luces.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund embelleciendo for the progressive. The participle embellecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he embellecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros embellece el jardín con flores.
- Right: Nosotros embellecemos el jardín con flores.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes embellecemos, while embellece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: embellecer conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on embellecer. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of embellecer in the present tense?
- (a) embelleces
- (b) embellece
- (c) embellecemos
- (d) embellezco
Answer: (d) embellezco. The yo form is embellezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of embellecer in the present tense?
- (a) embellece
- (b) embellecemos
- (c) embelleces
- (d) embellezco
Answer: (c) embelleces. The tú form is embelleces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of embellecer in the present tense?
- (a) embellecemos
- (b) embellece
- (c) embellezco
- (d) embelleces
Answer: (b) embellece. The él/ella form is embellece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of embellecer in the present tense?
- (a) embellecemos
- (b) embellezco
- (c) embelleces
- (d) embellece
Answer: (a) embellecemos. The nosotros form is embellecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of embellecer in the present tense?
- (a) embellezco
- (b) embelleces
- (c) embellece
- (d) embellecen
Answer: (d) embellecen. The ellos/ellas form is embellecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of embellecer?
- (a) embellecido
- (b) embellezco
- (c) embellecer
- (d) embelleciendo
Answer: (d) embelleciendo. The gerund is embelleciendo, used for the progressive: estoy embelleciendo.
7. What is the past participle of embellecer?
- (a) embellecí
- (b) embellecer
- (c) embellecido
- (d) embelleciendo
Answer: (c) embellecido. The past participle is embellecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he embellecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ el jardín con flores.
- (a) embellecemos
- (b) embellezco
- (c) embelleces
- (d) embellece
Answer: (b) embellezco. The sentence needs the yo form embellezco (Every day, I beautify the garden with flowers.)
9. What is the yo form of embellecer in the preterite?
- (a) embellecí
- (b) embelleciste
- (c) embelleció
- (d) embellecimos
Answer: (a) embellecí. The yo preterite is embellecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el salón con luces.
- (a) embellezcamos
- (b) embellecáis
- (c) embellezca
- (d) embellezcas
Answer: (c) embellezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is embellezca.
Frequently asked questions about embellecer
Is embellecer regular?
Almost. embellecer 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 embellezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example embellezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does embellecer mean, and when do I use it?
embellecer means "to beautify" in English. Use it when you talk about the garden with flowers, the house with new pictures, the living room with lights and the city with parks — for example: Yo embellezco el jardín con flores. — "I beautify the garden with flowers." 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 embellezco el jardín con flores. — "I beautify the garden with flowers." 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 embellecer?
No. embellecer is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo embellezco el jardín con flores. — "I beautify the garden with flowers." 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 embellecer?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo embellezco el jardín con flores. — "I beautify the garden with flowers." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo embellecí el jardín con flores. — "Yesterday, I beautified the garden with flowers." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.