Estirarse Conjugation in Spanish
estirarse means "to stretch (oneself)" in English, and it comes up when people talk about bed in the morning, the sofa after lunch, doing sport and the living-room rug. This page gives you the complete conjugation of estirarse 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. estirarse is a Reflexive 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 me estiro en la cama por la mañana. — "Every day, I stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: estirarse
- English: to stretch (oneself)
- Verb type: Reflexive regular -ar verb
- Gerund: estirando
- Past participle: estirado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + estirado)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
Full conjugation table
Every tense of estirarse 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 estirarse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of estirarse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me estiro en la cama por la mañana. — "Every day, I stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me estiré en el sofá después de comer. — "Yesterday, I stretched (oneself) on the sofa after lunch." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me estiraba antes de hacer deporte. — "In the past, I used to stretch (oneself) before doing sport." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos estiraremos en la alfombra del salón. — "Tomorrow, we will stretch (oneself) on the living-room rug." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te estirarías en la cama por la mañana. — "If you could, you would stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he estirado en el sofá después de comer. — "I have stretched (oneself) on the sofa after lunch." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había estirado antes de hacer deporte. — "Before the party, I had stretched (oneself) before doing sport." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré estirado en la alfombra del salón. — "By tomorrow, I will have stretched (oneself) on the living-room rug." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría estirado en la cama por la mañana. — "If I had been able to, I would have stretched (oneself) in bed in the morning." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se estire en el sofá después de comer. — "I hope that he/she stretches (oneself) on the sofa after lunch." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se estirara antes de hacer deporte, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she stretched (oneself) before doing sport, everything would turn out better." For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se estire en la alfombra del salón! — "Let him/her stretch (oneself) on the living-room rug!" For estirarse 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 estirarse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te estires en la cama por la mañana. — "Do not stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." For estirarse 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: estirarse in real sentences
Ten sentences with estirarse, 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 estiro en la cama por la mañana. — "Every day, I stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me estiré en el sofá después de comer. — "Yesterday, I stretched (oneself) on the sofa after lunch." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me estiraba antes de hacer deporte. — "In the past, I used to stretch (oneself) before doing sport." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos estiraremos en la alfombra del salón. — "Tomorrow, we will stretch (oneself) on the living-room rug." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te estirarías en la cama por la mañana. — "If you could, you would stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he estirado en el sofá después de comer. — "I have stretched (oneself) on the sofa after lunch." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se estire antes de hacer deporte. — "I hope that he/she stretches (oneself) before doing sport." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se estirara en la alfombra del salón, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she stretched (oneself) on the living-room rug, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te estires en la cama por la mañana! — "Do not stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy estirando en el sofá después de comer. — "Now, I am stretching (oneself) on the sofa after lunch." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with estirarse
The errors learners actually make with estirarse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo estiro en la cama por la mañana.
- Right: Yo me estiro en la cama por la mañana.
- Why: estirarse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me estiro en la cama por la mañana.. Without me the sentence is incomplete, and it sounds as if the action happens to someone else.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros os estirais en la cama por la mañana.
- Right: Vosotros os estiráis en la cama por la mañana.
- 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 me estiro en el sofá después de comer.
- Right: Ayer, yo me estiré en el sofá después de comer.
- 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 estiré en el sofá después de comer. — "Yesterday, I stretched (oneself) on the sofa after lunch."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy estirado antes de hacer deporte.
- Right: Me estoy estirando antes de hacer deporte.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund estirando for the progressive. The participle estirado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he estirado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Confusing estirarse with estirar
- Wrong: Yo estiro en la cama por la mañana.
- Right: Yo me estiro en la cama por la mañana.
- Why: estirarse (to stretch (oneself)) and estirar are partners, not the same verb. estirarse means "to stretch (oneself)", 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: estirarse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on estirarse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of estirarse in the present tense?
- (a) estiramos
- (b) estiro
- (c) estiras
- (d) estira
Answer: (b) estiro. The yo form is estiro. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of estirarse in the present tense?
- (a) estiras
- (b) estiro
- (c) estira
- (d) estiramos
Answer: (a) estiras. The tú form is estiras. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of estirarse in the present tense?
- (a) estiro
- (b) estiras
- (c) estiramos
- (d) estira
Answer: (d) estira. The él/ella form is estira. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of estirarse in the present tense?
- (a) estiras
- (b) estira
- (c) estiramos
- (d) estiro
Answer: (c) estiramos. The nosotros form is estiramos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of estirarse in the present tense?
- (a) estira
- (b) estiran
- (c) estiro
- (d) estiras
Answer: (b) estiran. The ellos/ellas form is estiran. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of estirarse?
- (a) estirarse
- (b) estirando
- (c) estirado
- (d) estiro
Answer: (b) estirando. The gerund is estirando, used for the progressive: me estoy estirando.
7. What is the past participle of estirarse?
- (a) estirado
- (b) estirando
- (c) estiré
- (d) estirarse
Answer: (a) estirado. The past participle is estirado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he estirado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ en la cama por la mañana.
- (a) estiras
- (b) estira
- (c) estiramos
- (d) estiro
Answer: (d) estiro. The sentence needs the yo form estiro (Every day, I stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning.)
9. What is the yo form of estirarse in the preterite?
- (a) estiró
- (b) estiramos
- (c) estiré
- (d) estiraste
Answer: (c) estiré. The yo preterite is estiré. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ antes de hacer deporte.
- (a) estire
- (b) estires
- (c) estiremos
- (d) estiréis
Answer: (a) estire. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is estire.
Frequently asked questions about estirarse
Is estirarse regular?
Yes. estirarse 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 estirarse mean, and when do I use it?
estirarse means "to stretch (oneself)" in English. Use it when you talk about bed in the morning, the sofa after lunch, doing sport and the living-room rug — for example: Yo me estiro en la cama por la mañana. — "I stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." 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 estiro en la cama por la mañana. — "I stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." 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 estirarse reflexive?
Yes. estirarse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me estiro en la cama por la mañana. — "I stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." 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 estirarse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me estiro en la cama por la mañana. — "I stretch (oneself) in bed in the morning." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me estiré en la cama por la mañana. — "Yesterday, I stretched (oneself) in bed in the morning." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.