Fallecer Conjugation in Spanish
fallecer means "to die, to pass away" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the city hospital, home with his family, eighty years old and a long illness. This page gives you the complete conjugation of fallecer 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. fallecer 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: Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad. — "I die in the city hospital." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: fallecer
- English: to die, to pass away
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: falleciendo
- Past participle: fallecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + fallecido)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of fallecer with all six persons. The gerund is falleciendo and the past participle is fallecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fallezco |
| tú | falleces |
| él/ella/Ud. | fallece |
| nosotros/as | fallecemos |
| vosotros/as | fallecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fallecí |
| tú | falleciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | falleció |
| nosotros/as | fallecimos |
| vosotros/as | fallecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fallecía |
| tú | fallecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | fallecía |
| nosotros/as | fallecíamos |
| vosotros/as | fallecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | falleceré |
| tú | fallecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | fallecerá |
| nosotros/as | falleceremos |
| vosotros/as | falleceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fallecería |
| tú | fallecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | fallecería |
| nosotros/as | falleceríamos |
| vosotros/as | falleceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he fallecido |
| tú | has fallecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha fallecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos fallecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis fallecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han fallecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había fallecido |
| tú | habías fallecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había fallecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos fallecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais fallecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían fallecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré fallecido |
| tú | habrás fallecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá fallecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos fallecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis fallecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán fallecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría fallecido |
| tú | habrías fallecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría fallecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos fallecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais fallecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían fallecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fallezca |
| tú | fallezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | fallezca |
| nosotros/as | fallezcamos |
| vosotros/as | fallecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | falleciera |
| tú | fallecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | falleciera |
| nosotros/as | falleciéramos |
| vosotros/as | fallecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | fallece |
| él/ella/Ud. | fallezca |
| nosotros/as | fallezcamos |
| vosotros/as | falleced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | fallezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | fallezca |
| nosotros/as | fallezcamos |
| vosotros/as | fallecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fallezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about fallecer in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of fallecer is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad. — "I die in the city hospital." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is fallezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fallezca. 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 fallecer is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo fallecí en su casa con su familia. — "Yesterday, I died at home with his family." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo fallecía a los ochenta años. — "In the past, I used to die at eighty years old." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros falleceremos tras una larga enfermedad. — "Tomorrow, we will die after a long illness." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú fallecerías en el hospital de la ciudad. — "If you could, you would die in the city hospital." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he fallecido en su casa con su familia. — "I have died at home with his family." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había fallecido a los ochenta años. — "Before the party, I had died at eighty years old." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré fallecido tras una larga enfermedad. — "By tomorrow, I will have died after a long illness." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría fallecido en el hospital de la ciudad. — "If I had been able to, I would have died in the city hospital." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él fallezca en su casa con su familia. — "I hope that he/she dies at home with his family." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is fallezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fallezca. 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 fallecer is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él falleciera a los ochenta años, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she died at eighty years old, everything would turn out better." For fallecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fallec- 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 fallecer is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Fallece tras una larga enfermedad! — "Die after a long illness!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is fallezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fallezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of fallecer is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No fallezcas en el hospital de la ciudad. — "Do not die in the city hospital." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is fallezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fallezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: fallecer in real sentences
Ten sentences with fallecer, 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.
- Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad. — "I die in the city hospital." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo fallecí en su casa con su familia. — "Yesterday, I died at home with his family." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo fallecía a los ochenta años. — "In the past, I used to die at eighty years old." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros falleceremos tras una larga enfermedad. — "Tomorrow, we will die after a long illness." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú fallecerías en el hospital de la ciudad. — "If you could, you would die in the city hospital." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he fallecido en su casa con su familia. — "I have died at home with his family." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él fallezca a los ochenta años. — "I hope that he/she dies at eighty years old." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él falleciera tras una larga enfermedad, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she died after a long illness, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Fallece en el hospital de la ciudad! — "Die in the city hospital!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy falleciendo en su casa con su familia. — "Now, I am dying at home with his family." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with fallecer
The errors learners actually make with fallecer, 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 fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad.
- Right: Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad.
- Why: fallecer is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo falleco en el hospital de la ciudad.
- Right: Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is fallezco, never falleco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (fallezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo fallezco en su casa con su familia.
- Right: Ayer, yo fallecí en su casa con su familia.
- 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 fallecí en su casa con su familia. — "Yesterday, I died at home with his family."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy fallecido a los ochenta años.
- Right: Estoy falleciendo a los ochenta años.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund falleciendo for the progressive. The participle fallecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he fallecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros fallece en el hospital de la ciudad.
- Right: Nosotros fallecemos en el hospital de la ciudad.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes fallecemos, while fallece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: fallecer conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on fallecer. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of fallecer in the present tense?
- (a) fallezco
- (b) falleces
- (c) fallece
- (d) fallecemos
Answer: (a) fallezco. The yo form is fallezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of fallecer in the present tense?
- (a) fallezco
- (b) fallece
- (c) fallecemos
- (d) falleces
Answer: (d) falleces. The tú form is falleces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of fallecer in the present tense?
- (a) falleces
- (b) fallecemos
- (c) fallece
- (d) fallezco
Answer: (c) fallece. The él/ella form is fallece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of fallecer in the present tense?
- (a) fallece
- (b) fallecemos
- (c) fallezco
- (d) falleces
Answer: (b) fallecemos. The nosotros form is fallecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of fallecer in the present tense?
- (a) fallecen
- (b) fallezco
- (c) falleces
- (d) fallece
Answer: (a) fallecen. The ellos/ellas form is fallecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of fallecer?
- (a) falleciendo
- (b) fallecido
- (c) fallezco
- (d) fallecer
Answer: (a) falleciendo. The gerund is falleciendo, used for the progressive: estoy falleciendo.
7. What is the past participle of fallecer?
- (a) falleciendo
- (b) fallecí
- (c) fallecer
- (d) fallecido
Answer: (d) fallecido. The past participle is fallecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he fallecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Yo ___ en el hospital de la ciudad.
- (a) fallece
- (b) fallecemos
- (c) fallezco
- (d) falleces
Answer: (c) fallezco. The sentence needs the yo form fallezco (I die in the city hospital.)
9. What is the yo form of fallecer in the preterite?
- (a) fallecimos
- (b) fallecí
- (c) falleciste
- (d) falleció
Answer: (b) fallecí. The yo preterite is fallecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ a los ochenta años.
- (a) fallezcas
- (b) fallezcamos
- (c) fallecáis
- (d) fallezca
Answer: (d) fallezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is fallezca.
Frequently asked questions about fallecer
Is fallecer regular?
Almost. fallecer 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 fallezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fallezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does fallecer mean, and when do I use it?
fallecer means "to die, to pass away" in English. Use it when you talk about the city hospital, home with his family, eighty years old and a long illness — for example: Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad. — "I die in the city hospital." 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 fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad. — "I die in the city hospital." 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 fallecer?
No. fallecer is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad. — "I die in the city hospital." 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 fallecer?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo fallezco en el hospital de la ciudad. — "I die in the city hospital." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo fallecí en el hospital de la ciudad. — "Yesterday, I died in the city hospital." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.