Idealizar Conjugation in Spanish
idealizar means "to idealise" in English, and it comes up when people talk about his first love, his village's past, his childhood hero and life in the country. This page gives you the complete conjugation of idealizar 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. idealizar is a spelling-changing (z → c 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 idealizo a su primer amor. — "Every day, I idealise his first love." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: idealizar
- English: to idealise
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: idealizando
- Past participle: idealizado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + idealizado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of idealizar with all six persons. The gerund is idealizando and the past participle is idealizado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | idealizo |
| tú | idealizas |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealiza |
| nosotros/as | idealizamos |
| vosotros/as | idealizáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealizan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | idealicé |
| tú | idealizaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealizó |
| nosotros/as | idealizamos |
| vosotros/as | idealizasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealizaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | idealizaba |
| tú | idealizabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealizaba |
| nosotros/as | idealizábamos |
| vosotros/as | idealizabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealizaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | idealizaré |
| tú | idealizarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealizará |
| nosotros/as | idealizaremos |
| vosotros/as | idealizaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealizarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | idealizaría |
| tú | idealizarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealizaría |
| nosotros/as | idealizaríamos |
| vosotros/as | idealizaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealizarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he idealizado |
| tú | has idealizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha idealizado |
| nosotros/as | hemos idealizado |
| vosotros/as | habéis idealizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han idealizado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había idealizado |
| tú | habías idealizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había idealizado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos idealizado |
| vosotros/as | habíais idealizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían idealizado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré idealizado |
| tú | habrás idealizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá idealizado |
| nosotros/as | habremos idealizado |
| vosotros/as | habréis idealizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán idealizado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría idealizado |
| tú | habrías idealizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría idealizado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos idealizado |
| vosotros/as | habríais idealizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían idealizado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | idealice |
| tú | idealices |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealice |
| nosotros/as | idealicemos |
| vosotros/as | idealicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealicen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | idealizara |
| tú | idealizaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealizara |
| nosotros/as | idealizáramos |
| vosotros/as | idealizarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealizaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | idealiza |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealice |
| nosotros/as | idealicemos |
| vosotros/as | idealizad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealicen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | idealices |
| él/ella/Ud. | idealice |
| nosotros/as | idealicemos |
| vosotros/as | idealicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | idealicen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about idealizar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of idealizar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo idealizo a su primer amor. — "Every day, I idealise his first love." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo idealicé el pasado de su pueblo. — "Yesterday, I idealised his village's past." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is idealicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example idealice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of idealizar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo idealizaba a su héroe de la infancia. — "In the past, I used to idealise his childhood hero." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros idealizaremos la vida en el campo. — "Tomorrow, we will idealise life in the country." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú idealizarías a su primer amor. — "If you could, you would idealise his first love." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he idealizado el pasado de su pueblo. — "I have idealised his village's past." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había idealizado a su héroe de la infancia. — "Before the party, I had idealised his childhood hero." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré idealizado la vida en el campo. — "By tomorrow, I will have idealised life in the country." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría idealizado a su primer amor. — "If I had been able to, I would have idealised his first love." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él idealice el pasado de su pueblo. — "I hope that he/she idealises his village's past." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is idealicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example idealice. 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 idealizar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él idealizara a su héroe de la infancia, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she idealised his childhood hero, everything would turn out better." For idealizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem idealiz- 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 idealizar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Idealiza la vida en el campo! — "Idealise life in the country!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is idealicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example idealice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of idealizar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No idealices a su primer amor. — "Do not idealise his first love." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is idealicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example idealice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: idealizar in real sentences
Ten sentences with idealizar, 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 idealizo a su primer amor. — "Every day, I idealise his first love." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo idealicé el pasado de su pueblo. — "Yesterday, I idealised his village's past." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo idealizaba a su héroe de la infancia. — "In the past, I used to idealise his childhood hero." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros idealizaremos la vida en el campo. — "Tomorrow, we will idealise life in the country." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú idealizarías a su primer amor. — "If you could, you would idealise his first love." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he idealizado el pasado de su pueblo. — "I have idealised his village's past." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él idealice a su héroe de la infancia. — "I hope that he/she idealises his childhood hero." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él idealizara la vida en el campo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she idealised life in the country, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Idealiza a su primer amor! — "Idealise his first love!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy idealizando el pasado de su pueblo. — "Now, I am idealising his village's past." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with idealizar
The errors learners actually make with idealizar, 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 idealizo a su primer amor.
- Right: Yo idealizo a su primer amor.
- Why: idealizar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo idealizo a su primer amor. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él idealiza el pasado de su pueblo.
- Right: Espero que él idealice el pasado de su pueblo.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for idealizar the subjunctive also changes z to c: idealice, not idealiza.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo idealizo el pasado de su pueblo.
- Right: Ayer, yo idealicé el pasado de su pueblo.
- 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 idealicé el pasado de su pueblo. — "Yesterday, I idealised his village's past."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy idealizado a su héroe de la infancia.
- Right: Estoy idealizando a su héroe de la infancia.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund idealizando for the progressive. The participle idealizado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he idealizado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros idealiza a su primer amor.
- Right: Nosotros idealizamos a su primer amor.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes idealizamos, while idealiza belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: idealizar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on idealizar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of idealizar in the present tense?
- (a) idealizo
- (b) idealizas
- (c) idealiza
- (d) idealizamos
Answer: (a) idealizo. The yo form is idealizo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of idealizar in the present tense?
- (a) idealizo
- (b) idealiza
- (c) idealizamos
- (d) idealizas
Answer: (d) idealizas. The tú form is idealizas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of idealizar in the present tense?
- (a) idealizas
- (b) idealizamos
- (c) idealiza
- (d) idealizo
Answer: (c) idealiza. The él/ella form is idealiza. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of idealizar in the present tense?
- (a) idealiza
- (b) idealizamos
- (c) idealizo
- (d) idealizas
Answer: (b) idealizamos. The nosotros form is idealizamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of idealizar in the present tense?
- (a) idealizan
- (b) idealizo
- (c) idealizas
- (d) idealiza
Answer: (a) idealizan. The ellos/ellas form is idealizan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of idealizar?
- (a) idealizando
- (b) idealizado
- (c) idealizo
- (d) idealizar
Answer: (a) idealizando. The gerund is idealizando, used for the progressive: estoy idealizando.
7. What is the past participle of idealizar?
- (a) idealizando
- (b) idealicé
- (c) idealizar
- (d) idealizado
Answer: (d) idealizado. The past participle is idealizado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he idealizado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ a su primer amor.
- (a) idealiza
- (b) idealizamos
- (c) idealizo
- (d) idealizas
Answer: (c) idealizo. The sentence needs the yo form idealizo (Every day, I idealise his first love.)
9. What is the yo form of idealizar in the preterite?
- (a) idealizamos
- (b) idealicé
- (c) idealizaste
- (d) idealizó
Answer: (b) idealicé. The yo preterite is idealicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ a su héroe de la infancia.
- (a) idealices
- (b) idealicemos
- (c) idealicéis
- (d) idealice
Answer: (d) idealice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is idealice.
Frequently asked questions about idealizar
Is idealizar regular?
Almost. idealizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is idealicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example idealice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does idealizar mean, and when do I use it?
idealizar means "to idealise" in English. Use it when you talk about his first love, his village's past, his childhood hero and life in the country — for example: Yo idealizo a su primer amor. — "I idealise his first love." 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 idealizo a su primer amor. — "I idealise his first love." 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 idealizar?
No. idealizar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo idealizo a su primer amor. — "I idealise his first love." 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 idealizar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo idealizo a su primer amor. — "I idealise his first love." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo idealicé a su primer amor. — "Yesterday, I idealised his first love." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.