Humedecer Conjugation in Spanish
humedecer means "to moisten" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the garden soil, the cloth for cleaning, his lips with water and the sponge in the sink. This page gives you the complete conjugation of humedecer 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. humedecer 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: Cada día, yo humedezco la tierra del jardín. — "Every day, I moisten the garden soil." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: humedecer
- English: to moisten
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: humedeciendo
- Past participle: humedecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + humedecido)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of humedecer with all six persons. The gerund is humedeciendo and the past participle is humedecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | humedezco |
| tú | humedeces |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedece |
| nosotros/as | humedecemos |
| vosotros/as | humedecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | humedecí |
| tú | humedeciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedeció |
| nosotros/as | humedecimos |
| vosotros/as | humedecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | humedecía |
| tú | humedecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedecía |
| nosotros/as | humedecíamos |
| vosotros/as | humedecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | humedeceré |
| tú | humedecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedecerá |
| nosotros/as | humedeceremos |
| vosotros/as | humedeceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | humedecería |
| tú | humedecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedecería |
| nosotros/as | humedeceríamos |
| vosotros/as | humedeceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he humedecido |
| tú | has humedecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha humedecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos humedecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis humedecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han humedecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había humedecido |
| tú | habías humedecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había humedecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos humedecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais humedecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían humedecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré humedecido |
| tú | habrás humedecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá humedecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos humedecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis humedecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán humedecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría humedecido |
| tú | habrías humedecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría humedecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos humedecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais humedecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían humedecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | humedezca |
| tú | humedezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedezca |
| nosotros/as | humedezcamos |
| vosotros/as | humedecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | humedeciera |
| tú | humedecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedeciera |
| nosotros/as | humedeciéramos |
| vosotros/as | humedecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | humedece |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedezca |
| nosotros/as | humedezcamos |
| vosotros/as | humedeced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | humedezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | humedezca |
| nosotros/as | humedezcamos |
| vosotros/as | humedecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | humedezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about humedecer in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of humedecer is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo humedezco la tierra del jardín. — "Every day, I moisten the garden soil." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is humedezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example humedezca. 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 humedecer is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo humedecí el paño para limpiar. — "Yesterday, I moistened the cloth for cleaning." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo humedecía los labios con agua. — "In the past, I used to moisten his lips with water." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros humedeceremos la esponja en el fregadero. — "Tomorrow, we will moisten the sponge in the sink." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú humedecerías la tierra del jardín. — "If you could, you would moisten the garden soil." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he humedecido el paño para limpiar. — "I have moistened the cloth for cleaning." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había humedecido los labios con agua. — "Before the party, I had moistened his lips with water." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré humedecido la esponja en el fregadero. — "By tomorrow, I will have moistened the sponge in the sink." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría humedecido la tierra del jardín. — "If I had been able to, I would have moistened the garden soil." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él humedezca el paño para limpiar. — "I hope that he/she moistens the cloth for cleaning." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is humedezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example humedezca. 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 humedecer is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él humedeciera los labios con agua, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she moistened his lips with water, everything would turn out better." For humedecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem humedec- 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 humedecer is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Humedece la esponja en el fregadero! — "Moisten the sponge in the sink!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is humedezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example humedezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of humedecer is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No humedezcas la tierra del jardín. — "Do not moisten the garden soil." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is humedezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example humedezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: humedecer in real sentences
Ten sentences with humedecer, 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 humedezco la tierra del jardín. — "Every day, I moisten the garden soil." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo humedecí el paño para limpiar. — "Yesterday, I moistened the cloth for cleaning." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo humedecía los labios con agua. — "In the past, I used to moisten his lips with water." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros humedeceremos la esponja en el fregadero. — "Tomorrow, we will moisten the sponge in the sink." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú humedecerías la tierra del jardín. — "If you could, you would moisten the garden soil." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he humedecido el paño para limpiar. — "I have moistened the cloth for cleaning." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él humedezca los labios con agua. — "I hope that he/she moistens his lips with water." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él humedeciera la esponja en el fregadero, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she moistened the sponge in the sink, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Humedece la tierra del jardín! — "Moisten the garden soil!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy humedeciendo el paño para limpiar. — "Now, I am moistening the cloth for cleaning." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with humedecer
The errors learners actually make with humedecer, 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 humedezco la tierra del jardín.
- Right: Yo humedezco la tierra del jardín.
- Why: humedecer is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo humedezco la tierra del jardín. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo humedeco la tierra del jardín.
- Right: Yo humedezco la tierra del jardín.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is humedezco, never humedeco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (humedezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo humedezco el paño para limpiar.
- Right: Ayer, yo humedecí el paño para limpiar.
- 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 humedecí el paño para limpiar. — "Yesterday, I moistened the cloth for cleaning."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy humedecido los labios con agua.
- Right: Estoy humedeciendo los labios con agua.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund humedeciendo for the progressive. The participle humedecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he humedecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros humedece la tierra del jardín.
- Right: Nosotros humedecemos la tierra del jardín.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes humedecemos, while humedece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: humedecer conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on humedecer. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of humedecer in the present tense?
- (a) humedezco
- (b) humedeces
- (c) humedece
- (d) humedecemos
Answer: (a) humedezco. The yo form is humedezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of humedecer in the present tense?
- (a) humedezco
- (b) humedece
- (c) humedecemos
- (d) humedeces
Answer: (d) humedeces. The tú form is humedeces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of humedecer in the present tense?
- (a) humedeces
- (b) humedecemos
- (c) humedece
- (d) humedezco
Answer: (c) humedece. The él/ella form is humedece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of humedecer in the present tense?
- (a) humedece
- (b) humedecemos
- (c) humedezco
- (d) humedeces
Answer: (b) humedecemos. The nosotros form is humedecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of humedecer in the present tense?
- (a) humedecen
- (b) humedezco
- (c) humedeces
- (d) humedece
Answer: (a) humedecen. The ellos/ellas form is humedecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of humedecer?
- (a) humedeciendo
- (b) humedecido
- (c) humedezco
- (d) humedecer
Answer: (a) humedeciendo. The gerund is humedeciendo, used for the progressive: estoy humedeciendo.
7. What is the past participle of humedecer?
- (a) humedeciendo
- (b) humedecí
- (c) humedecer
- (d) humedecido
Answer: (d) humedecido. The past participle is humedecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he humedecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la tierra del jardín.
- (a) humedece
- (b) humedecemos
- (c) humedezco
- (d) humedeces
Answer: (c) humedezco. The sentence needs the yo form humedezco (Every day, I moisten the garden soil.)
9. What is the yo form of humedecer in the preterite?
- (a) humedecimos
- (b) humedecí
- (c) humedeciste
- (d) humedeció
Answer: (b) humedecí. The yo preterite is humedecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ los labios con agua.
- (a) humedezcas
- (b) humedezcamos
- (c) humedecáis
- (d) humedezca
Answer: (d) humedezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is humedezca.
Frequently asked questions about humedecer
Is humedecer regular?
Almost. humedecer 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 humedezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example humedezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does humedecer mean, and when do I use it?
humedecer means "to moisten" in English. Use it when you talk about the garden soil, the cloth for cleaning, his lips with water and the sponge in the sink — for example: Yo humedezco la tierra del jardín. — "I moisten the garden soil." 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 humedezco la tierra del jardín. — "I moisten the garden soil." 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 humedecer?
No. humedecer is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo humedezco la tierra del jardín. — "I moisten the garden soil." 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 humedecer?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo humedezco la tierra del jardín. — "I moisten the garden soil." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo humedecí la tierra del jardín. — "Yesterday, I moistened the garden soil." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.