Fortificar Conjugation in Spanish
fortificar means "to fortify" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the city with walls, the castle on the hill, the border with soldiers and the body with exercise. This page gives you the complete conjugation of fortificar 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. fortificar is a spelling-changing (c → qu before e) -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 fortifico la ciudad con murallas. — "Every day, I fortify the city with walls." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: fortificar
- English: to fortify
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → qu before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: fortificando
- Past participle: fortificado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + fortificado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → qu before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of fortificar with all six persons. The gerund is fortificando and the past participle is fortificado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortifico |
| tú | fortificas |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortifica |
| nosotros/as | fortificamos |
| vosotros/as | fortificáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortifican |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortifiqué |
| tú | fortificaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortificó |
| nosotros/as | fortificamos |
| vosotros/as | fortificasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortificaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortificaba |
| tú | fortificabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortificaba |
| nosotros/as | fortificábamos |
| vosotros/as | fortificabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortificaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortificaré |
| tú | fortificarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortificará |
| nosotros/as | fortificaremos |
| vosotros/as | fortificaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortificarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortificaría |
| tú | fortificarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortificaría |
| nosotros/as | fortificaríamos |
| vosotros/as | fortificaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortificarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he fortificado |
| tú | has fortificado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha fortificado |
| nosotros/as | hemos fortificado |
| vosotros/as | habéis fortificado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han fortificado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había fortificado |
| tú | habías fortificado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había fortificado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos fortificado |
| vosotros/as | habíais fortificado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían fortificado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré fortificado |
| tú | habrás fortificado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá fortificado |
| nosotros/as | habremos fortificado |
| vosotros/as | habréis fortificado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán fortificado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría fortificado |
| tú | habrías fortificado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría fortificado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos fortificado |
| vosotros/as | habríais fortificado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían fortificado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortifique |
| tú | fortifiques |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortifique |
| nosotros/as | fortifiquemos |
| vosotros/as | fortifiquéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortifiquen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortificara |
| tú | fortificaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortificara |
| nosotros/as | fortificáramos |
| vosotros/as | fortificarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortificaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | fortifica |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortifique |
| nosotros/as | fortifiquemos |
| vosotros/as | fortificad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortifiquen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | fortifiques |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortifique |
| nosotros/as | fortifiquemos |
| vosotros/as | fortifiquéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortifiquen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about fortificar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of fortificar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo fortifico la ciudad con murallas. — "Every day, I fortify the city with walls." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo fortifiqué el castillo en la colina. — "Yesterday, I fortified the castle on the hill." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is fortifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example fortifique. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of fortificar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo fortificaba la frontera con soldados. — "In the past, I used to fortify the border with soldiers." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros fortificaremos el cuerpo con ejercicio. — "Tomorrow, we will fortify the body with exercise." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú fortificarías la ciudad con murallas. — "If you could, you would fortify the city with walls." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he fortificado el castillo en la colina. — "I have fortified the castle on the hill." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había fortificado la frontera con soldados. — "Before the party, I had fortified the border with soldiers." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré fortificado el cuerpo con ejercicio. — "By tomorrow, I will have fortified the body with exercise." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría fortificado la ciudad con murallas. — "If I had been able to, I would have fortified the city with walls." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él fortifique el castillo en la colina. — "I hope that he/she fortifies the castle on the hill." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is fortifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example fortifique. 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 fortificar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él fortificara la frontera con soldados, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she fortified the border with soldiers, everything would turn out better." For fortificar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem fortific- 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 fortificar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Fortifica el cuerpo con ejercicio! — "Fortify the body with exercise!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is fortifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example fortifique. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of fortificar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No fortifiques la ciudad con murallas. — "Do not fortify the city with walls." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is fortifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example fortifique. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: fortificar in real sentences
Ten sentences with fortificar, 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 fortifico la ciudad con murallas. — "Every day, I fortify the city with walls." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo fortifiqué el castillo en la colina. — "Yesterday, I fortified the castle on the hill." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo fortificaba la frontera con soldados. — "In the past, I used to fortify the border with soldiers." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros fortificaremos el cuerpo con ejercicio. — "Tomorrow, we will fortify the body with exercise." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú fortificarías la ciudad con murallas. — "If you could, you would fortify the city with walls." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he fortificado el castillo en la colina. — "I have fortified the castle on the hill." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él fortifique la frontera con soldados. — "I hope that he/she fortifies the border with soldiers." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él fortificara el cuerpo con ejercicio, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she fortified the body with exercise, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Fortifica la ciudad con murallas! — "Fortify the city with walls!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy fortificando el castillo en la colina. — "Now, I am fortifying the castle on the hill." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with fortificar
The errors learners actually make with fortificar, 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 fortifico la ciudad con murallas.
- Right: Yo fortifico la ciudad con murallas.
- Why: fortificar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo fortifico la ciudad con murallas. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the qu spelling change in the preterite
- Wrong: Ayer, yo fortificé la ciudad con murallas.
- Right: Ayer, yo fortifiqué la ciudad con murallas.
- Why: The c becomes qu before e to keep the hard sound, so the yo preterite is fortifiqué, never fortificé. The same qu appears in the subjunctive (fortifique).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo fortifico el castillo en la colina.
- Right: Ayer, yo fortifiqué el castillo en la colina.
- 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 fortifiqué el castillo en la colina. — "Yesterday, I fortified the castle on the hill."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy fortificado la frontera con soldados.
- Right: Estoy fortificando la frontera con soldados.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund fortificando for the progressive. The participle fortificado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he fortificado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros fortifica la ciudad con murallas.
- Right: Nosotros fortificamos la ciudad con murallas.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes fortificamos, while fortifica belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: fortificar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on fortificar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of fortificar in the present tense?
- (a) fortificas
- (b) fortifica
- (c) fortificamos
- (d) fortifico
Answer: (d) fortifico. The yo form is fortifico. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of fortificar in the present tense?
- (a) fortifica
- (b) fortificamos
- (c) fortificas
- (d) fortifico
Answer: (c) fortificas. The tú form is fortificas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of fortificar in the present tense?
- (a) fortificamos
- (b) fortifica
- (c) fortifico
- (d) fortificas
Answer: (b) fortifica. The él/ella form is fortifica. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of fortificar in the present tense?
- (a) fortificamos
- (b) fortifico
- (c) fortificas
- (d) fortifica
Answer: (a) fortificamos. The nosotros form is fortificamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of fortificar in the present tense?
- (a) fortifico
- (b) fortificas
- (c) fortifica
- (d) fortifican
Answer: (d) fortifican. The ellos/ellas form is fortifican. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of fortificar?
- (a) fortificado
- (b) fortifico
- (c) fortificar
- (d) fortificando
Answer: (d) fortificando. The gerund is fortificando, used for the progressive: estoy fortificando.
7. What is the past participle of fortificar?
- (a) fortifiqué
- (b) fortificar
- (c) fortificado
- (d) fortificando
Answer: (c) fortificado. The past participle is fortificado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he fortificado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la ciudad con murallas.
- (a) fortificamos
- (b) fortifico
- (c) fortificas
- (d) fortifica
Answer: (b) fortifico. The sentence needs the yo form fortifico (Every day, I fortify the city with walls.)
9. What is the yo form of fortificar in the preterite?
- (a) fortifiqué
- (b) fortificaste
- (c) fortificó
- (d) fortificamos
Answer: (a) fortifiqué. The yo preterite is fortifiqué. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la frontera con soldados.
- (a) fortifiquemos
- (b) fortifiquéis
- (c) fortifique
- (d) fortifiques
Answer: (c) fortifique. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is fortifique.
Frequently asked questions about fortificar
Is fortificar regular?
Almost. fortificar is a spelling-changing (c → qu before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is fortifiqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example fortifique. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does fortificar mean, and when do I use it?
fortificar means "to fortify" in English. Use it when you talk about the city with walls, the castle on the hill, the border with soldiers and the body with exercise — for example: Yo fortifico la ciudad con murallas. — "I fortify the city with walls." 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 fortifico la ciudad con murallas. — "I fortify the city with walls." 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 fortificar?
No. fortificar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo fortifico la ciudad con murallas. — "I fortify the city with walls." 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 fortificar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo fortifico la ciudad con murallas. — "I fortify the city with walls." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo fortifiqué la ciudad con murallas. — "Yesterday, I fortified the city with walls." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.