Localizar Conjugation in Spanish
localizar means "to locate" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the hotel on the map, the keys in the bag, the village in the mountains and the phone in the house. This page gives you the complete conjugation of localizar 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. localizar 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 localizo el hotel en el mapa. — "Every day, I locate the hotel on the map." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: localizar
- English: to locate
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: localizando
- Past participle: localizado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + localizado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of localizar with all six persons. The gerund is localizando and the past participle is localizado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | localizo |
| tú | localizas |
| él/ella/Ud. | localiza |
| nosotros/as | localizamos |
| vosotros/as | localizáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localizan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | localicé |
| tú | localizaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | localizó |
| nosotros/as | localizamos |
| vosotros/as | localizasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localizaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | localizaba |
| tú | localizabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | localizaba |
| nosotros/as | localizábamos |
| vosotros/as | localizabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localizaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | localizaré |
| tú | localizarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | localizará |
| nosotros/as | localizaremos |
| vosotros/as | localizaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localizarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | localizaría |
| tú | localizarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | localizaría |
| nosotros/as | localizaríamos |
| vosotros/as | localizaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localizarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he localizado |
| tú | has localizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha localizado |
| nosotros/as | hemos localizado |
| vosotros/as | habéis localizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han localizado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había localizado |
| tú | habías localizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había localizado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos localizado |
| vosotros/as | habíais localizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían localizado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré localizado |
| tú | habrás localizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá localizado |
| nosotros/as | habremos localizado |
| vosotros/as | habréis localizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán localizado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría localizado |
| tú | habrías localizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría localizado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos localizado |
| vosotros/as | habríais localizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían localizado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | localice |
| tú | localices |
| él/ella/Ud. | localice |
| nosotros/as | localicemos |
| vosotros/as | localicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localicen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | localizara |
| tú | localizaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | localizara |
| nosotros/as | localizáramos |
| vosotros/as | localizarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localizaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | localiza |
| él/ella/Ud. | localice |
| nosotros/as | localicemos |
| vosotros/as | localizad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localicen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | localices |
| él/ella/Ud. | localice |
| nosotros/as | localicemos |
| vosotros/as | localicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | localicen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about localizar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of localizar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo localizo el hotel en el mapa. — "Every day, I locate the hotel on the map." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo localicé las llaves en el bolso. — "Yesterday, I located the keys in the bag." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is localicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example localice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of localizar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo localizaba el pueblo en la montaña. — "In the past, I used to locate the village in the mountains." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros localizaremos el teléfono en la casa. — "Tomorrow, we will locate the phone in the house." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú localizarías el hotel en el mapa. — "If you could, you would locate the hotel on the map." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he localizado las llaves en el bolso. — "I have located the keys in the bag." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había localizado el pueblo en la montaña. — "Before the party, I had located the village in the mountains." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré localizado el teléfono en la casa. — "By tomorrow, I will have located the phone in the house." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría localizado el hotel en el mapa. — "If I had been able to, I would have located the hotel on the map." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él localice las llaves en el bolso. — "I hope that he/she locates the keys in the bag." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is localicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example localice. 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 localizar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él localizara el pueblo en la montaña, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she located the village in the mountains, everything would turn out better." For localizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem localiz- 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 localizar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Localiza el teléfono en la casa! — "Locate the phone in the house!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is localicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example localice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of localizar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No localices el hotel en el mapa. — "Do not locate the hotel on the map." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is localicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example localice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: localizar in real sentences
Ten sentences with localizar, 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 localizo el hotel en el mapa. — "Every day, I locate the hotel on the map." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo localicé las llaves en el bolso. — "Yesterday, I located the keys in the bag." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo localizaba el pueblo en la montaña. — "In the past, I used to locate the village in the mountains." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros localizaremos el teléfono en la casa. — "Tomorrow, we will locate the phone in the house." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú localizarías el hotel en el mapa. — "If you could, you would locate the hotel on the map." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he localizado las llaves en el bolso. — "I have located the keys in the bag." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él localice el pueblo en la montaña. — "I hope that he/she locates the village in the mountains." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él localizara el teléfono en la casa, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she located the phone in the house, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Localiza el hotel en el mapa! — "Locate the hotel on the map!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy localizando las llaves en el bolso. — "Now, I am locating the keys in the bag." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with localizar
The errors learners actually make with localizar, 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 localizo el hotel en el mapa.
- Right: Yo localizo el hotel en el mapa.
- Why: localizar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo localizo el hotel en el mapa. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él localiza las llaves en el bolso.
- Right: Espero que él localice las llaves en el bolso.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for localizar the subjunctive also changes z to c: localice, not localiza.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo localizo las llaves en el bolso.
- Right: Ayer, yo localicé las llaves en el bolso.
- 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 localicé las llaves en el bolso. — "Yesterday, I located the keys in the bag."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy localizado el pueblo en la montaña.
- Right: Estoy localizando el pueblo en la montaña.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund localizando for the progressive. The participle localizado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he localizado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros localiza el hotel en el mapa.
- Right: Nosotros localizamos el hotel en el mapa.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes localizamos, while localiza belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: localizar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on localizar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of localizar in the present tense?
- (a) localiza
- (b) localizamos
- (c) localizo
- (d) localizas
Answer: (c) localizo. The yo form is localizo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of localizar in the present tense?
- (a) localizamos
- (b) localizas
- (c) localizo
- (d) localiza
Answer: (b) localizas. The tú form is localizas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of localizar in the present tense?
- (a) localiza
- (b) localizo
- (c) localizas
- (d) localizamos
Answer: (a) localiza. The él/ella form is localiza. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of localizar in the present tense?
- (a) localizo
- (b) localizas
- (c) localiza
- (d) localizamos
Answer: (d) localizamos. The nosotros form is localizamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of localizar in the present tense?
- (a) localizas
- (b) localiza
- (c) localizan
- (d) localizo
Answer: (c) localizan. The ellos/ellas form is localizan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of localizar?
- (a) localizo
- (b) localizar
- (c) localizando
- (d) localizado
Answer: (c) localizando. The gerund is localizando, used for the progressive: estoy localizando.
7. What is the past participle of localizar?
- (a) localizar
- (b) localizado
- (c) localizando
- (d) localicé
Answer: (b) localizado. The past participle is localizado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he localizado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ el hotel en el mapa.
- (a) localizo
- (b) localizas
- (c) localiza
- (d) localizamos
Answer: (a) localizo. The sentence needs the yo form localizo (Every day, I locate the hotel on the map.)
9. What is the yo form of localizar in the preterite?
- (a) localizaste
- (b) localizó
- (c) localizamos
- (d) localicé
Answer: (d) localicé. The yo preterite is localicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el pueblo en la montaña.
- (a) localicéis
- (b) localice
- (c) localices
- (d) localicemos
Answer: (b) localice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is localice.
Frequently asked questions about localizar
Is localizar regular?
Almost. localizar 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 localicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example localice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does localizar mean, and when do I use it?
localizar means "to locate" in English. Use it when you talk about the hotel on the map, the keys in the bag, the village in the mountains and the phone in the house — for example: Yo localizo el hotel en el mapa. — "I locate the hotel on the map." 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 localizo el hotel en el mapa. — "I locate the hotel on the map." 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 localizar?
No. localizar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo localizo el hotel en el mapa. — "I locate the hotel on the map." 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 localizar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo localizo el hotel en el mapa. — "I locate the hotel on the map." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo localicé el hotel en el mapa. — "Yesterday, I located the hotel on the map." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.