Madrugar Conjugation in Spanish
madrugar means "to get up early" in English, and it comes up when people talk about go to work, Mondays to study, catch the six o'clock train and summer to go swimming. This page gives you the complete conjugation of madrugar 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. madrugar is a spelling-changing (g → gu 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 madrugo para ir al trabajo. — "Every day, I get up early to go to work." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: madrugar
- English: to get up early
- Verb type: spelling-changing (g → gu before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: madrugando
- Past participle: madrugado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + madrugado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (g → gu before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of madrugar with all six persons. The gerund is madrugando and the past participle is madrugado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | madrugo |
| tú | madrugas |
| él/ella/Ud. | madruga |
| nosotros/as | madrugamos |
| vosotros/as | madrugáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madrugan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | madrugué |
| tú | madrugaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | madrugó |
| nosotros/as | madrugamos |
| vosotros/as | madrugasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madrugaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | madrugaba |
| tú | madrugabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | madrugaba |
| nosotros/as | madrugábamos |
| vosotros/as | madrugabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madrugaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | madrugaré |
| tú | madrugarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | madrugará |
| nosotros/as | madrugaremos |
| vosotros/as | madrugaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madrugarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | madrugaría |
| tú | madrugarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | madrugaría |
| nosotros/as | madrugaríamos |
| vosotros/as | madrugaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madrugarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he madrugado |
| tú | has madrugado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha madrugado |
| nosotros/as | hemos madrugado |
| vosotros/as | habéis madrugado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han madrugado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había madrugado |
| tú | habías madrugado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había madrugado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos madrugado |
| vosotros/as | habíais madrugado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían madrugado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré madrugado |
| tú | habrás madrugado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá madrugado |
| nosotros/as | habremos madrugado |
| vosotros/as | habréis madrugado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán madrugado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría madrugado |
| tú | habrías madrugado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría madrugado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos madrugado |
| vosotros/as | habríais madrugado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían madrugado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | madrugue |
| tú | madrugues |
| él/ella/Ud. | madrugue |
| nosotros/as | madruguemos |
| vosotros/as | madruguéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madruguen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | madrugara |
| tú | madrugaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | madrugara |
| nosotros/as | madrugáramos |
| vosotros/as | madrugarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madrugaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | madruga |
| él/ella/Ud. | madrugue |
| nosotros/as | madruguemos |
| vosotros/as | madrugad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madruguen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | madrugues |
| él/ella/Ud. | madrugue |
| nosotros/as | madruguemos |
| vosotros/as | madruguéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | madruguen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about madrugar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of madrugar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo madrugo para ir al trabajo. — "Every day, I get up early to go to work." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo madrugué los lunes para estudiar. — "Yesterday, I got up early on Mondays to study." Watch the spelling: the g becomes gu before e, so the yo preterite is madrugué and the subjunctive forms start with gu, for example madrugue. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of madrugar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo madrugaba para coger el tren de las seis. — "In the past, I used to get up early to catch the six o'clock train." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros madrugaremos en verano para nadar. — "Tomorrow, we will get up early in summer to go swimming." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú madrugarías para ir al trabajo. — "If you could, you would get up early to go to work." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he madrugado los lunes para estudiar. — "I have got up early on Mondays to study." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había madrugado para coger el tren de las seis. — "Before the party, I had got up early to catch the six o'clock train." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré madrugado en verano para nadar. — "By tomorrow, I will have got up early in summer to go swimming." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría madrugado para ir al trabajo. — "If I had been able to, I would have got up early to go to work." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él madrugue los lunes para estudiar. — "I hope that he/she gets up early on Mondays to study." Watch the spelling: the g becomes gu before e, so the yo preterite is madrugué and the subjunctive forms start with gu, for example madrugue. 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 madrugar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él madrugara para coger el tren de las seis, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she got up early to catch the six o'clock train, everything would turn out better." For madrugar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem madrug- 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 madrugar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Madruga en verano para nadar! — "Get up early in summer to go swimming!" Watch the spelling: the g becomes gu before e, so the yo preterite is madrugué and the subjunctive forms start with gu, for example madrugue. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of madrugar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No madrugues para ir al trabajo. — "Do not get up early to go to work." Watch the spelling: the g becomes gu before e, so the yo preterite is madrugué and the subjunctive forms start with gu, for example madrugue. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: madrugar in real sentences
Ten sentences with madrugar, 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 madrugo para ir al trabajo. — "Every day, I get up early to go to work." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo madrugué los lunes para estudiar. — "Yesterday, I got up early on Mondays to study." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo madrugaba para coger el tren de las seis. — "In the past, I used to get up early to catch the six o'clock train." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros madrugaremos en verano para nadar. — "Tomorrow, we will get up early in summer to go swimming." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú madrugarías para ir al trabajo. — "If you could, you would get up early to go to work." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he madrugado los lunes para estudiar. — "I have got up early on Mondays to study." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él madrugue para coger el tren de las seis. — "I hope that he/she gets up early to catch the six o'clock train." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él madrugara en verano para nadar, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she got up early in summer to go swimming, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Madruga para ir al trabajo! — "Get up early to go to work!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy madrugando los lunes para estudiar. — "Now, I am geting up early on Mondays to study." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with madrugar
The errors learners actually make with madrugar, 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 madrugo para ir al trabajo.
- Right: Yo madrugo para ir al trabajo.
- Why: madrugar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo madrugo para ir al trabajo. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the gu spelling change in the preterite
- Wrong: Ayer, yo madrugé para ir al trabajo.
- Right: Ayer, yo madrugué para ir al trabajo.
- Why: The g becomes gu before e to keep the hard sound, so the yo preterite is madrugué, never madrugé. The same gu appears in the subjunctive (madrugue).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo madrugo los lunes para estudiar.
- Right: Ayer, yo madrugué los lunes para estudiar.
- 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 madrugué los lunes para estudiar. — "Yesterday, I got up early on Mondays to study."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy madrugado para coger el tren de las seis.
- Right: Estoy madrugando para coger el tren de las seis.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund madrugando for the progressive. The participle madrugado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he madrugado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros madruga para ir al trabajo.
- Right: Nosotros madrugamos para ir al trabajo.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes madrugamos, while madruga belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: madrugar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on madrugar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of madrugar in the present tense?
- (a) madrugamos
- (b) madrugo
- (c) madrugas
- (d) madruga
Answer: (b) madrugo. The yo form is madrugo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of madrugar in the present tense?
- (a) madrugas
- (b) madrugo
- (c) madruga
- (d) madrugamos
Answer: (a) madrugas. The tú form is madrugas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of madrugar in the present tense?
- (a) madrugo
- (b) madrugas
- (c) madrugamos
- (d) madruga
Answer: (d) madruga. The él/ella form is madruga. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of madrugar in the present tense?
- (a) madrugas
- (b) madruga
- (c) madrugamos
- (d) madrugo
Answer: (c) madrugamos. The nosotros form is madrugamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of madrugar in the present tense?
- (a) madruga
- (b) madrugan
- (c) madrugo
- (d) madrugas
Answer: (b) madrugan. The ellos/ellas form is madrugan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of madrugar?
- (a) madrugar
- (b) madrugando
- (c) madrugado
- (d) madrugo
Answer: (b) madrugando. The gerund is madrugando, used for the progressive: estoy madrugando.
7. What is the past participle of madrugar?
- (a) madrugado
- (b) madrugando
- (c) madrugué
- (d) madrugar
Answer: (a) madrugado. The past participle is madrugado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he madrugado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ para ir al trabajo.
- (a) madrugas
- (b) madruga
- (c) madrugamos
- (d) madrugo
Answer: (d) madrugo. The sentence needs the yo form madrugo (Every day, I get up early to go to work.)
9. What is the yo form of madrugar in the preterite?
- (a) madrugó
- (b) madrugamos
- (c) madrugué
- (d) madrugaste
Answer: (c) madrugué. The yo preterite is madrugué. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ para coger el tren de las seis.
- (a) madrugue
- (b) madrugues
- (c) madruguemos
- (d) madruguéis
Answer: (a) madrugue. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is madrugue.
Frequently asked questions about madrugar
Is madrugar regular?
Almost. madrugar is a spelling-changing (g → gu before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the g becomes gu before e, so the yo preterite is madrugué and the subjunctive forms start with gu, for example madrugue. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does madrugar mean, and when do I use it?
madrugar means "to get up early" in English. Use it when you talk about go to work, Mondays to study, catch the six o'clock train and summer to go swimming — for example: Yo madrugo para ir al trabajo. — "I get up early to go to work." 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 madrugo para ir al trabajo. — "I get up early to go to work." 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 madrugar?
No. madrugar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo madrugo para ir al trabajo. — "I get up early to go to work." 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 madrugar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo madrugo para ir al trabajo. — "I get up early to go to work." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo madrugué para ir al trabajo. — "Yesterday, I got up early to go to work." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.