Explotar Conjugation in Spanish
explotar means "to exploit, to explode" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the mine in the mountains, the volcano on the island, the balloon in the heat and the old car's engine. This page gives you the complete conjugation of explotar 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. explotar 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 exploto la mina en la montaña. — "Every day, I exploit the mine in the mountains." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: explotar
- English: to exploit, to explode
- Verb type: regular -ar verb
- Gerund: explotando
- Past participle: explotado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + explotado)
Full conjugation table
Every tense of explotar with all six persons. The gerund is explotando and the past participle is explotado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | exploto |
| tú | explotas |
| él/ella/Ud. | explota |
| nosotros/as | explotamos |
| vosotros/as | explotáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | explotan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | exploté |
| tú | explotaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | explotó |
| nosotros/as | explotamos |
| vosotros/as | explotasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | explotaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | explotaba |
| tú | explotabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | explotaba |
| nosotros/as | explotábamos |
| vosotros/as | explotabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | explotaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | explotaré |
| tú | explotarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | explotará |
| nosotros/as | explotaremos |
| vosotros/as | explotaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | explotarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | explotaría |
| tú | explotarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | explotaría |
| nosotros/as | explotaríamos |
| vosotros/as | explotaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | explotarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he explotado |
| tú | has explotado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha explotado |
| nosotros/as | hemos explotado |
| vosotros/as | habéis explotado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han explotado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había explotado |
| tú | habías explotado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había explotado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos explotado |
| vosotros/as | habíais explotado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían explotado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré explotado |
| tú | habrás explotado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá explotado |
| nosotros/as | habremos explotado |
| vosotros/as | habréis explotado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán explotado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría explotado |
| tú | habrías explotado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría explotado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos explotado |
| vosotros/as | habríais explotado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían explotado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | explote |
| tú | explotes |
| él/ella/Ud. | explote |
| nosotros/as | explotemos |
| vosotros/as | explotéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | exploten |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | explotara |
| tú | explotaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | explotara |
| nosotros/as | explotáramos |
| vosotros/as | explotarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | explotaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | explota |
| él/ella/Ud. | explote |
| nosotros/as | explotemos |
| vosotros/as | explotad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | exploten |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | explotes |
| él/ella/Ud. | explote |
| nosotros/as | explotemos |
| vosotros/as | explotéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | exploten |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about explotar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of explotar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo exploto la mina en la montaña. — "Every day, I exploit the mine in the mountains." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo exploté el volcán en la isla. — "Yesterday, I exploited the volcano on the island." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo explotaba el globo con el calor. — "In the past, I used to exploit the balloon in the heat." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros explotaremos el motor del coche viejo. — "Tomorrow, we will exploit the old car's engine." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú explotarías la mina en la montaña. — "If you could, you would exploit the mine in the mountains." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he explotado el volcán en la isla. — "I have exploited the volcano on the island." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había explotado el globo con el calor. — "Before the party, I had exploited the balloon in the heat." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré explotado el motor del coche viejo. — "By tomorrow, I will have exploited the old car's engine." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría explotado la mina en la montaña. — "If I had been able to, I would have exploited the mine in the mountains." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él explote el volcán en la isla. — "I hope that he/she exploits the volcano on the island." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él explotara el globo con el calor, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she exploited the balloon in the heat, everything would turn out better." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Explota el motor del coche viejo! — "Exploit the old car's engine!" For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- 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 explotar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No explotes la mina en la montaña. — "Do not exploit the mine in the mountains." For explotar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem explot- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: explotar in real sentences
Ten sentences with explotar, 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 exploto la mina en la montaña. — "Every day, I exploit the mine in the mountains." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo exploté el volcán en la isla. — "Yesterday, I exploited the volcano on the island." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo explotaba el globo con el calor. — "In the past, I used to exploit the balloon in the heat." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros explotaremos el motor del coche viejo. — "Tomorrow, we will exploit the old car's engine." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú explotarías la mina en la montaña. — "If you could, you would exploit the mine in the mountains." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he explotado el volcán en la isla. — "I have exploited the volcano on the island." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él explote el globo con el calor. — "I hope that he/she exploits the balloon in the heat." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él explotara el motor del coche viejo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she exploited the old car's engine, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Explota la mina en la montaña! — "Exploit the mine in the mountains!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy explotando el volcán en la isla. — "Now, I am exploiting the volcano on the island." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with explotar
The errors learners actually make with explotar, 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 exploto la mina en la montaña.
- Right: Yo exploto la mina en la montaña.
- Why: explotar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo exploto la mina en la montaña. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros explotais la mina en la montaña.
- Right: Vosotros explotáis la mina en la montaña.
- Why: The vosotros form explotáis 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 exploto el volcán en la isla.
- Right: Ayer, yo exploté el volcán en la isla.
- 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 exploté el volcán en la isla. — "Yesterday, I exploited the volcano on the island."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy explotado el globo con el calor.
- Right: Estoy explotando el globo con el calor.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund explotando for the progressive. The participle explotado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he explotado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros explota la mina en la montaña.
- Right: Nosotros explotamos la mina en la montaña.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes explotamos, while explota belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: explotar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on explotar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of explotar in the present tense?
- (a) explota
- (b) explotamos
- (c) exploto
- (d) explotas
Answer: (c) exploto. The yo form is exploto. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of explotar in the present tense?
- (a) explotamos
- (b) explotas
- (c) exploto
- (d) explota
Answer: (b) explotas. The tú form is explotas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of explotar in the present tense?
- (a) explota
- (b) exploto
- (c) explotas
- (d) explotamos
Answer: (a) explota. The él/ella form is explota. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of explotar in the present tense?
- (a) exploto
- (b) explotas
- (c) explota
- (d) explotamos
Answer: (d) explotamos. The nosotros form is explotamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of explotar in the present tense?
- (a) explotas
- (b) explota
- (c) explotan
- (d) exploto
Answer: (c) explotan. The ellos/ellas form is explotan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of explotar?
- (a) exploto
- (b) explotar
- (c) explotando
- (d) explotado
Answer: (c) explotando. The gerund is explotando, used for the progressive: estoy explotando.
7. What is the past participle of explotar?
- (a) explotar
- (b) explotado
- (c) explotando
- (d) exploté
Answer: (b) explotado. The past participle is explotado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he explotado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la mina en la montaña.
- (a) exploto
- (b) explotas
- (c) explota
- (d) explotamos
Answer: (a) exploto. The sentence needs the yo form exploto (Every day, I exploit the mine in the mountains.)
9. What is the yo form of explotar in the preterite?
- (a) explotaste
- (b) explotó
- (c) explotamos
- (d) exploté
Answer: (d) exploté. The yo preterite is exploté. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el globo con el calor.
- (a) explotéis
- (b) explote
- (c) explotes
- (d) explotemos
Answer: (b) explote. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is explote.
Frequently asked questions about explotar
Is explotar regular?
Yes. explotar is a regular -ar verb: exploto, exploté, explotaba, explotaré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does explotar mean, and when do I use it?
explotar means "to exploit, to explode" in English. Use it when you talk about the mine in the mountains, the volcano on the island, the balloon in the heat and the old car's engine — for example: Yo exploto la mina en la montaña. — "I exploit the mine in the mountains." 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 exploto la mina en la montaña. — "I exploit the mine in the mountains." 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 explotar?
No. explotar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo exploto la mina en la montaña. — "I exploit the mine in the mountains." 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 explotar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo exploto la mina en la montaña. — "I exploit the mine in the mountains." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo exploté la mina en la montaña. — "Yesterday, I exploited the mine in the mountains." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.