Introducir Conjugation in Spanish
The Spanish verb introducir means to introduce, to insert, and it is a verb you will use again and again once you know it. Introducir means to introduce or to insert, and it covers introducing a new topic, inserting a key in a lock and putting a coin in a machine. It is a -ducir verb, with the present introduzco and the preterite introduje. Like every Spanish verb, introducir changes its ending for each person and tense, and this page gives you the complete picture: every tense, every person, the gerund and the past participle, all from the verified conjugation tables. For example, in the present tense you say introduzco la moneda en la máquina, and in the preterite you say introduje un tema nuevo en la reunión. Work through the tables below, read the notes for each tense, and then test yourself with the examples, the common mistakes and the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: introducir
- English: to introduce, to insert
- Verb type: irregular verb
- Ending: -ir
- Gerund: introduciendo
- Past participle: introducido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all perfect tenses are formed with haber + introducido)
Pronunciation is not listed on this page: the verified tables do not include IPA for introducir, so no pronunciation is given rather than an invented one. Introducir is a -ducir verb: the present is introduzco and the preterite is introduje. The subjunctive is introduzca.
Full conjugation tables
Every form below comes from the verified conjugation tables for introducir. The imperfect subjunctive is shown in its -ra forms; the -se forms use the same stem. For reflexive verbs, the pronoun column shows the reflexive pronoun that goes before each form.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | introduzco |
| tú | introduces |
| él/ella/Ud. | introduce |
| nosotros/as | introducimos |
| vosotros/as | introducís |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introducen |
Preterite
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | introduje |
| tú | introdujiste |
| él/ella/Ud. | introdujo |
| nosotros/as | introdujimos |
| vosotros/as | introdujisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introdujeron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | introducía |
| tú | introducías |
| él/ella/Ud. | introducía |
| nosotros/as | introducíamos |
| vosotros/as | introducíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introducían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | introduciré |
| tú | introducirás |
| él/ella/Ud. | introducirá |
| nosotros/as | introduciremos |
| vosotros/as | introduciréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introducirán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | introduciría |
| tú | introducirías |
| él/ella/Ud. | introduciría |
| nosotros/as | introduciríamos |
| vosotros/as | introduciríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introducirían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he introducido |
| tú | has introducido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha introducido |
| nosotros/as | hemos introducido |
| vosotros/as | habéis introducido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han introducido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había introducido |
| tú | habías introducido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había introducido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos introducido |
| vosotros/as | habíais introducido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían introducido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré introducido |
| tú | habrás introducido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá introducido |
| nosotros/as | habremos introducido |
| vosotros/as | habréis introducido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán introducido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría introducido |
| tú | habrías introducido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría introducido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos introducido |
| vosotros/as | habríais introducido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían introducido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | introduzca |
| tú | introduzcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | introduzca |
| nosotros/as | introduzcamos |
| vosotros/as | introducáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introduzcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | introdujera |
| tú | introdujeras |
| él/ella/Ud. | introdujera |
| nosotros/as | introdujéramos |
| vosotros/as | introdujerais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introdujeran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | introduce |
| él/ella/Ud. | introduzca |
| nosotros/as | introduzcamos |
| vosotros/as | introducid |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introduzcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | introduzcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | introduzca |
| nosotros/as | introduzcamos |
| vosotros/as | introducáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | introduzcan |
Gerund and past participle
| Form | Spanish | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | introduciendo | with estar for the progressive: estoy introduciendo |
| Past participle | introducido | with haber for the perfect tenses: he introducido |
How to use each tense
Present indicative
Use the present for routines, general facts and what is happening right now. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of the -ducir verbs, with a -zc- in the present (as in traduzco) and a -j- stem in the preterite (as in traduje). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For introducir, the present looks like this in a real sentence: Introduzco la moneda en la máquina. Learn the present forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Preterite
Use the preterite for finished actions with a clear end, often with ayer, el año pasado or anoche. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of the -ducir verbs, with a -zc- in the present (as in traduzco) and a -j- stem in the preterite (as in traduje). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For introducir, the preterite looks like this in a real sentence: Ayer, introduje la llave en la cerradura. Learn the preterite forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperfect
Use the imperfect for background, habits and actions in progress in the past, often with de niño, antes or mientras. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For introducir, the imperfect looks like this in a real sentence: De niño, introducía un tema nuevo en la reunión. Learn the imperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Future
Use the future for plans, predictions and promises, often with mañana, el año que viene or pronto. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For introducir, the future looks like this in a real sentence: Mañana, introduciré los datos en el ordenador. Learn the future forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Conditional
Use the conditional for polite requests, hypotheticals and what would happen, often with si clauses. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For introducir, the conditional looks like this in a real sentence: Introduciría la moneda en la máquina si pudiera. Learn the conditional forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Present perfect
Use the present perfect for recent actions and experiences, often with hoy, esta semana or ya. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For introducir, the present perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Hoy, he introducido la llave en la cerradura. Learn the present perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Pluperfect
Use the pluperfect when one past action happened before another past action. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For introducir, the pluperfect looks like this in a real sentence: Había introducido un tema nuevo en la reunión antes de salir. Learn the pluperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Future perfect
Use the future perfect for something that will already be finished by a future time. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For introducir, the future perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Para mañana, habré introducido los datos en el ordenador. Learn the future perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Conditional perfect
Use the conditional perfect for what would have happened under different conditions. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For introducir, the conditional perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Habría introducido la moneda en la máquina con más tiempo. Learn the conditional perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Present subjunctive
Use the present subjunctive after expressions of wish, doubt, emotion and hope, such as espero que or quiero que. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of the -ducir verbs, with a -zc- in the present (as in traduzco) and a -j- stem in the preterite (as in traduje). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For introducir, the present subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Espero que él introduzca la llave en la cerradura. Learn the present subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
Use the imperfect subjunctive after past wishes and in si clauses about the past, and note the -ra forms shown here; the -se forms use the same stem. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of the -ducir verbs, with a -zc- in the present (as in traduzco) and a -j- stem in the preterite (as in traduje). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For introducir, the imperfect subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Si él introdujera un tema nuevo en la reunión, todo cambiaría. Learn the imperfect subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperative (affirmative)
Use the affirmative imperative for direct commands, instructions and invitations. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of the -ducir verbs, with a -zc- in the present (as in traduzco) and a -j- stem in the preterite (as in traduje). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For introducir, the affirmative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: ¡Introduce los datos en el ordenador! Learn the affirmative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperative (negative)
Use the negative imperative, always with no, to tell someone not to do something. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of the -ducir verbs, with a -zc- in the present (as in traduzco) and a -j- stem in the preterite (as in traduje). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For introducir, the negative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: No introduzcas la moneda en la máquina. Learn the negative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Example sentences
Ten natural sentences with introducir, covering different tenses and persons. Each one uses a form from the tables above.
- Introduzco la moneda en la máquina. — I introduce the coin into the machine.
- Introduce la llave en la cerradura. — He/she introduces the key into the lock.
- Ayer, introduje un tema nuevo en la reunión. — Yesterday, I introduced a new topic in the meeting.
- Antes, nosotros introducíamos los datos en el ordenador. — Before, we used to introduce the data into the computer.
- Mañana, tú introducirás la moneda en la máquina. — Tomorrow, you will introduce the coin into the machine.
- Yo introduciría la llave en la cerradura si tuviera más tiempo. — I would introduce the key into the lock if I had more time.
- Él ha introducido un tema nuevo en la reunión. — He has introduced a new topic in the meeting.
- Espero que él introduzca los datos en el ordenador. — I hope he introduces the data into the computer.
- Yo ya había introducido la moneda en la máquina antes de salir. — I had already introduced the coin into the machine before leaving.
- Ellos introducían la llave en la cerradura cuando eran jóvenes. — They used to introduce the key into the lock when they were young.
Common mistakes
- Wrong: Yo introduce la moneda en la máquina. — Right: Yo introduzco la moneda en la máquina. — The person matters: introduce is the él/ella/Ud. form, while the yo form is introduzco. Using the third-person form with yo is one of the most common beginner errors.
- Wrong: Ayer yo introducí la llave en la cerradura. — Right: Ayer yo introduje la llave en la cerradura. — Introducir has an irregular preterite: the correct first-person form is introduje, not the regular introducí. Learn the preterite forms in the table as a set.
- Wrong: Treating introducir and sacar as identical in every context. — Right: Introducir means to introduce, to insert, while sacar means to take out. — They overlap, but each has uses the other does not: introducir fits sentences such as Introduzco la moneda en la máquina, while sacar belongs in a different sentence. Check the meaning you want before choosing.
- Wrong: Yo soy introducido la llave en la cerradura. — Right: Yo he introducido la llave en la cerradura. — Spanish perfect tenses use haber, not ser: he introducido, has introducido, ha introducido. Ser plus the participle makes a passive, not a perfect tense.
- Wrong: De niño, yo introduje un tema nuevo en la reunión todos los días. — Right: De niño, yo introducía un tema nuevo en la reunión todos los días. — For a repeated habit in the past, use the imperfect (introducía), not the preterite. The preterite (introduje) is for one finished action.
Quiz: test yourself
Ten questions on introducir. Choose the right form, then check the answer key below.
Complete the sentence: Yo ___ la moneda en la máquina. (present tense) A. introduzco B. introduces C. introduce D. introducimos
Complete the sentence: Ayer, él ___ la llave en la cerradura. (preterite) A. introduje B. introdujiste C. introdujeron D. introdujo
Complete the sentence: Antes, nosotros ___ un tema nuevo en la reunión. (imperfect) A. introducías B. introducían C. introducíamos D. introducía
Complete the sentence: Mañana, tú ___ los datos en el ordenador. (future) A. introduciremos B. introducirás C. introduciré D. introducirá
Complete the sentence: Yo ___ la moneda en la máquina si pudiera. (conditional) A. introduciría B. introducirías C. introducirían D. introduzco
Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la llave en la cerradura. (present subjunctive) A. introduzcas B. introduzcamos C. introduzco D. introduzca
Complete the sentence: Si yo ___ un tema nuevo en la reunión, todo cambiaría. (imperfect subjunctive, -ra form) A. introdujéramos B. introduzco C. introdujera D. introdujeras
Complete the sentence: Nosotros ___ los datos en el ordenador. (present perfect) A. han introducido B. hemos introducido C. he introducido D. has introducido
Complete the command: ¡___ la moneda en la máquina! (affirmative imperative, tú) A. introduce B. introduzca C. introduzcamos D. introducid
Which is the gerund of introducir, used with estar for the progressive? A. introducido B. introduzco C. introduje D. introduciendo
Answer key
- introduzco — The first-person present of introducir is introduzco. The other options are the tú, él/ella and nosotros forms.
- introdujo — The third-person preterite of introducir is introdujo, the form for a single finished action in the past.
- introducíamos — The nosotros imperfect of introducir is introducíamos, used here for a repeated past habit.
- introducirás — The second-person future of introducir is introducirás.
- introduciría — The first-person conditional of introducir is introduciría, the form for what would happen.
- introduzca — After espero que, the subjunctive is required: the third-person present subjunctive of introducir is introduzca.
- introdujera — The first-person imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of introducir is introdujera.
- hemos introducido — The nosotros present perfect of introducir is hemos introducido: hemos + introducido.
- introduce — The affirmative tú imperative of introducir is introduce.
- introduciendo — The gerund of introducir is introduciendo: estoy introduciendo. The participle introducido is used with haber instead.
Frequently asked questions
What does introducir mean in English?
Introducir means to introduce, to insert. It is used in everyday situations such as Introduzco la moneda en la máquina. The exact English wording depends on the context, but the core meaning stays the same across the tenses.
Is introducir regular or irregular?
Introducir is irregular in present, preterite, present-subjunctive, imperfect-subjunctive, imperative-affirmative, imperative-negative. The other tenses follow the regular pattern. Learn the irregular forms from the tables above rather than guessing them from the infinitive.
What is the difference between introducir and sacar?
Introducir means to introduce, to insert, while sacar means to take out. They are easy to confuse because they appear in similar situations, but they are not interchangeable: use introducir when you mean to introduce, to insert, as in Introduzco la moneda en la máquina, and use sacar for to take out. When in doubt, check the object of the sentence — it usually shows which verb fits.
How do I say “I introduce” in the past?
It depends on the kind of past. For one finished action, use the preterite: yo introduje la llave en la cerradura. For a repeated habit or background in the past, use the imperfect: yo introducía un tema nuevo en la reunión. For something that has just happened, use the present perfect: yo he introducido la llave en la cerradura.
How do I practise introducir?
Start with the present tense table, then drill the preterite and the imperfect, since those two past tenses cause the most mistakes. Try the introducir examples and quiz page for more sentences, and use the Spanish Verb Quiz to test the forms under pressure.
Related links
- Introducir in the preterite tense — the full preterite-tense table for introducir.
- Introducir examples and quiz — more example sentences and practice for introducir.
- Spanish verbs — the Spanish hub, with every verb and tense guide.
- Complete list of Spanish irregular verbs — where this verb's pattern is listed.
- Deducir conjugation — another -ir verb to compare with introducir.
- Traducir conjugation — another -ir verb to compare with introducir.
- Contradecir conjugation — another -ir verb to compare with introducir.
- Spanish Verb Conjugator — conjugate any Spanish verb in every tense.
- Spanish Verb Quiz — test yourself on real conjugated forms.