Estirar Conjugation in Spanish
estirar means "to stretch" in English, and it comes up when people talk about his arms on waking, his legs before running, the rope between two trees and the chewing gum with his hands. This page gives you the complete conjugation of estirar 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. estirar is a regular -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 estiro los brazos al despertar. — "Every day, I stretch his arms on waking." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: estirar
- English: to stretch
- Verb type: regular -ar verb
- Gerund: estirando
- Past participle: estirado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + estirado)
Full conjugation table
Every tense of estirar with all six persons. The gerund is estirando and the past participle is estirado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estiro |
| tú | estiras |
| él/ella/Ud. | estira |
| nosotros/as | estiramos |
| vosotros/as | estiráis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estiran |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estiré |
| tú | estiraste |
| él/ella/Ud. | estiró |
| nosotros/as | estiramos |
| vosotros/as | estirasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estiraron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estiraba |
| tú | estirabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | estiraba |
| nosotros/as | estirábamos |
| vosotros/as | estirabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estiraban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estiraré |
| tú | estirarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | estirará |
| nosotros/as | estiraremos |
| vosotros/as | estiraréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estirarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estiraría |
| tú | estirarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | estiraría |
| nosotros/as | estiraríamos |
| vosotros/as | estiraríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estirarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he estirado |
| tú | has estirado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha estirado |
| nosotros/as | hemos estirado |
| vosotros/as | habéis estirado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han estirado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había estirado |
| tú | habías estirado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había estirado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos estirado |
| vosotros/as | habíais estirado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían estirado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré estirado |
| tú | habrás estirado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá estirado |
| nosotros/as | habremos estirado |
| vosotros/as | habréis estirado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán estirado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría estirado |
| tú | habrías estirado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría estirado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos estirado |
| vosotros/as | habríais estirado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían estirado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estire |
| tú | estires |
| él/ella/Ud. | estire |
| nosotros/as | estiremos |
| vosotros/as | estiréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estiren |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | estirara |
| tú | estiraras |
| él/ella/Ud. | estirara |
| nosotros/as | estiráramos |
| vosotros/as | estirarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estiraran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | estira |
| él/ella/Ud. | estire |
| nosotros/as | estiremos |
| vosotros/as | estirad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estiren |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | estires |
| él/ella/Ud. | estire |
| nosotros/as | estiremos |
| vosotros/as | estiréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | estiren |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about estirar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of estirar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo estiro los brazos al despertar. — "Every day, I stretch his arms on waking." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo estiré las piernas antes de correr. — "Yesterday, I stretched his legs before running." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo estiraba la cuerda entre dos árboles. — "In the past, I used to stretch the rope between two trees." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros estiraremos el chicle con las manos. — "Tomorrow, we will stretch the chewing gum with his hands." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú estirarías los brazos al despertar. — "If you could, you would stretch his arms on waking." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he estirado las piernas antes de correr. — "I have stretched his legs before running." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había estirado la cuerda entre dos árboles. — "Before the party, I had stretched the rope between two trees." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré estirado el chicle con las manos. — "By tomorrow, I will have stretched the chewing gum with his hands." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría estirado los brazos al despertar. — "If I had been able to, I would have stretched his arms on waking." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él estire las piernas antes de correr. — "I hope that he/she stretches his legs before running." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- plus the usual endings. 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 estirar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él estirara la cuerda entre dos árboles, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she stretched the rope between two trees, everything would turn out better." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- 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 estirar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Estira el chicle con las manos! — "Stretch the chewing gum with his hands!" For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of estirar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No estires los brazos al despertar. — "Do not stretch his arms on waking." For estirar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem estir- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: estirar in real sentences
Ten sentences with estirar, 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 estiro los brazos al despertar. — "Every day, I stretch his arms on waking." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo estiré las piernas antes de correr. — "Yesterday, I stretched his legs before running." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo estiraba la cuerda entre dos árboles. — "In the past, I used to stretch the rope between two trees." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros estiraremos el chicle con las manos. — "Tomorrow, we will stretch the chewing gum with his hands." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú estirarías los brazos al despertar. — "If you could, you would stretch his arms on waking." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he estirado las piernas antes de correr. — "I have stretched his legs before running." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él estire la cuerda entre dos árboles. — "I hope that he/she stretches the rope between two trees." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él estirara el chicle con las manos, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she stretched the chewing gum with his hands, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Estira los brazos al despertar! — "Stretch his arms on waking!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy estirando las piernas antes de correr. — "Now, I am stretching his legs before running." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with estirar
The errors learners actually make with estirar, 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 estiro los brazos al despertar.
- Right: Yo estiro los brazos al despertar.
- Why: estirar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo estiro los brazos al despertar. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros estirais los brazos al despertar.
- Right: Vosotros estiráis los brazos al despertar.
- Why: The vosotros form estiráis carries a written accent. Without it the word is misspelled, and in writing the accent is part of the form.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo estiro las piernas antes de correr.
- Right: Ayer, yo estiré las piernas antes de correr.
- 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 estiré las piernas antes de correr. — "Yesterday, I stretched his legs before running."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy estirado la cuerda entre dos árboles.
- Right: Estoy estirando la cuerda entre dos árboles.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund estirando for the progressive. The participle estirado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he estirado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Confusing estirar with estirarse
- Wrong: Yo me estiro los brazos al despertar.
- Right: Yo estiro los brazos al despertar.
- Why: estirar (to stretch) and estirarse are partners, not the same verb. The reflexive partner estirarse is used when the action comes back to the subject, while estirar is used when the action is done to someone or something else.
Quiz: estirar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on estirar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of estirar in the present tense?
- (a) estiro
- (b) estiras
- (c) estira
- (d) estiramos
Answer: (a) estiro. The yo form is estiro. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of estirar in the present tense?
- (a) estiro
- (b) estira
- (c) estiramos
- (d) estiras
Answer: (d) estiras. The tú form is estiras. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of estirar in the present tense?
- (a) estiras
- (b) estiramos
- (c) estira
- (d) estiro
Answer: (c) estira. The él/ella form is estira. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of estirar in the present tense?
- (a) estira
- (b) estiramos
- (c) estiro
- (d) estiras
Answer: (b) estiramos. The nosotros form is estiramos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of estirar in the present tense?
- (a) estiran
- (b) estiro
- (c) estiras
- (d) estira
Answer: (a) estiran. The ellos/ellas form is estiran. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of estirar?
- (a) estirando
- (b) estirado
- (c) estiro
- (d) estirar
Answer: (a) estirando. The gerund is estirando, used for the progressive: estoy estirando.
7. What is the past participle of estirar?
- (a) estirando
- (b) estiré
- (c) estirar
- (d) estirado
Answer: (d) estirado. The past participle is estirado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he estirado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ los brazos al despertar.
- (a) estira
- (b) estiramos
- (c) estiro
- (d) estiras
Answer: (c) estiro. The sentence needs the yo form estiro (Every day, I stretch his arms on waking.)
9. What is the yo form of estirar in the preterite?
- (a) estiramos
- (b) estiré
- (c) estiraste
- (d) estiró
Answer: (b) estiré. The yo preterite is estiré. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la cuerda entre dos árboles.
- (a) estires
- (b) estiremos
- (c) estiréis
- (d) estire
Answer: (d) estire. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is estire.
Frequently asked questions about estirar
Is estirar regular?
Yes. estirar is a regular -ar verb: estiro, estiré, estiraba, estiraré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does estirar mean, and when do I use it?
estirar means "to stretch" in English. Use it when you talk about his arms on waking, his legs before running, the rope between two trees and the chewing gum with his hands — for example: Yo estiro los brazos al despertar. — "I stretch his arms on waking." 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 estiro los brazos al despertar. — "I stretch his arms on waking." 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.
What is the difference between estirar and estirarse?
estirar means "to stretch", while estirarse means "to stretch (oneself)". The reflexive form is used when the action comes back to the subject, and the plain form is used when the action is done to someone or something else. Compare the two pages side by side to feel the difference.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with estirar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo estiro los brazos al despertar. — "I stretch his arms on waking." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo estiré los brazos al despertar. — "Yesterday, I stretched his arms on waking." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.