Maltratar Conjugation in Spanish
maltratar means "to mistreat" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the village animals, his employees in the factory, the garden plants and his little brother. This page gives you the complete conjugation of maltratar 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. maltratar is a regular -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 maltrato a los animales del pueblo. — "Every day, I mistreat the village animals." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: maltratar
- English: to mistreat
- Verb type: regular -ar verb
- Gerund: maltratando
- Past participle: maltratado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + maltratado)
Full conjugation table
Every tense of maltratar with all six persons. The gerund is maltratando and the past participle is maltratado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | maltrato |
| tú | maltratas |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltrata |
| nosotros/as | maltratamos |
| vosotros/as | maltratáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltratan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | maltraté |
| tú | maltrataste |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltrató |
| nosotros/as | maltratamos |
| vosotros/as | maltratasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltrataron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | maltrataba |
| tú | maltratabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltrataba |
| nosotros/as | maltratábamos |
| vosotros/as | maltratabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltrataban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | maltrataré |
| tú | maltratarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltratará |
| nosotros/as | maltrataremos |
| vosotros/as | maltrataréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltratarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | maltrataría |
| tú | maltratarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltrataría |
| nosotros/as | maltrataríamos |
| vosotros/as | maltrataríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltratarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he maltratado |
| tú | has maltratado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha maltratado |
| nosotros/as | hemos maltratado |
| vosotros/as | habéis maltratado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han maltratado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había maltratado |
| tú | habías maltratado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había maltratado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos maltratado |
| vosotros/as | habíais maltratado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían maltratado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré maltratado |
| tú | habrás maltratado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá maltratado |
| nosotros/as | habremos maltratado |
| vosotros/as | habréis maltratado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán maltratado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría maltratado |
| tú | habrías maltratado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría maltratado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos maltratado |
| vosotros/as | habríais maltratado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían maltratado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | maltrate |
| tú | maltrates |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltrate |
| nosotros/as | maltratemos |
| vosotros/as | maltratéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltraten |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | maltratara |
| tú | maltrataras |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltratara |
| nosotros/as | maltratáramos |
| vosotros/as | maltratarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltrataran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | maltrata |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltrate |
| nosotros/as | maltratemos |
| vosotros/as | maltratad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltraten |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | maltrates |
| él/ella/Ud. | maltrate |
| nosotros/as | maltratemos |
| vosotros/as | maltratéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | maltraten |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about maltratar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of maltratar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo maltrato a los animales del pueblo. — "Every day, I mistreat the village animals." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo maltraté a sus empleados en la fábrica. — "Yesterday, I mistreated his employees in the factory." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo maltrataba las plantas del jardín. — "In the past, I used to mistreat the garden plants." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros maltrataremos a su hermano pequeño. — "Tomorrow, we will mistreat his little brother." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú maltratarías a los animales del pueblo. — "If you could, you would mistreat the village animals." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he maltratado a sus empleados en la fábrica. — "I have mistreated his employees in the factory." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había maltratado las plantas del jardín. — "Before the party, I had mistreated the garden plants." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré maltratado a su hermano pequeño. — "By tomorrow, I will have mistreated his little brother." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría maltratado a los animales del pueblo. — "If I had been able to, I would have mistreated the village animals." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él maltrate a sus empleados en la fábrica. — "I hope that he/she mistreats his employees in the factory." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- plus the usual endings. 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 maltratar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él maltratara las plantas del jardín, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she mistreated the garden plants, everything would turn out better." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- 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 maltratar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Maltrata a su hermano pequeño! — "Mistreat his little brother!" For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of maltratar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No maltrates a los animales del pueblo. — "Do not mistreat the village animals." For maltratar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem maltrat- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: maltratar in real sentences
Ten sentences with maltratar, 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 maltrato a los animales del pueblo. — "Every day, I mistreat the village animals." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo maltraté a sus empleados en la fábrica. — "Yesterday, I mistreated his employees in the factory." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo maltrataba las plantas del jardín. — "In the past, I used to mistreat the garden plants." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros maltrataremos a su hermano pequeño. — "Tomorrow, we will mistreat his little brother." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú maltratarías a los animales del pueblo. — "If you could, you would mistreat the village animals." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he maltratado a sus empleados en la fábrica. — "I have mistreated his employees in the factory." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él maltrate las plantas del jardín. — "I hope that he/she mistreats the garden plants." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él maltratara a su hermano pequeño, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she mistreated his little brother, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Maltrata a los animales del pueblo! — "Mistreat the village animals!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy maltratando a sus empleados en la fábrica. — "Now, I am mistreating his employees in the factory." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with maltratar
The errors learners actually make with maltratar, 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 maltrato a los animales del pueblo.
- Right: Yo maltrato a los animales del pueblo.
- Why: maltratar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo maltrato a los animales del pueblo. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros maltratais a los animales del pueblo.
- Right: Vosotros maltratáis a los animales del pueblo.
- Why: The vosotros form maltratáis carries a written accent. Without it the word is misspelled, and in writing the accent is part of the form.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo maltrato a sus empleados en la fábrica.
- Right: Ayer, yo maltraté a sus empleados en la fábrica.
- 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 maltraté a sus empleados en la fábrica. — "Yesterday, I mistreated his employees in the factory."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy maltratado las plantas del jardín.
- Right: Estoy maltratando las plantas del jardín.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund maltratando for the progressive. The participle maltratado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he maltratado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros maltrata a los animales del pueblo.
- Right: Nosotros maltratamos a los animales del pueblo.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes maltratamos, while maltrata belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: maltratar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on maltratar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of maltratar in the present tense?
- (a) maltrata
- (b) maltratamos
- (c) maltrato
- (d) maltratas
Answer: (c) maltrato. The yo form is maltrato. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of maltratar in the present tense?
- (a) maltratamos
- (b) maltratas
- (c) maltrato
- (d) maltrata
Answer: (b) maltratas. The tú form is maltratas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of maltratar in the present tense?
- (a) maltrata
- (b) maltrato
- (c) maltratas
- (d) maltratamos
Answer: (a) maltrata. The él/ella form is maltrata. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of maltratar in the present tense?
- (a) maltrato
- (b) maltratas
- (c) maltrata
- (d) maltratamos
Answer: (d) maltratamos. The nosotros form is maltratamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of maltratar in the present tense?
- (a) maltratas
- (b) maltrata
- (c) maltratan
- (d) maltrato
Answer: (c) maltratan. The ellos/ellas form is maltratan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of maltratar?
- (a) maltrato
- (b) maltratar
- (c) maltratando
- (d) maltratado
Answer: (c) maltratando. The gerund is maltratando, used for the progressive: estoy maltratando.
7. What is the past participle of maltratar?
- (a) maltratar
- (b) maltratado
- (c) maltratando
- (d) maltraté
Answer: (b) maltratado. The past participle is maltratado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he maltratado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ a los animales del pueblo.
- (a) maltrato
- (b) maltratas
- (c) maltrata
- (d) maltratamos
Answer: (a) maltrato. The sentence needs the yo form maltrato (Every day, I mistreat the village animals.)
9. What is the yo form of maltratar in the preterite?
- (a) maltrataste
- (b) maltrató
- (c) maltratamos
- (d) maltraté
Answer: (d) maltraté. The yo preterite is maltraté. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ las plantas del jardín.
- (a) maltratéis
- (b) maltrate
- (c) maltrates
- (d) maltratemos
Answer: (b) maltrate. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is maltrate.
Frequently asked questions about maltratar
Is maltratar regular?
Yes. maltratar is a regular -ar verb: maltrato, maltraté, maltrataba, maltrataré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does maltratar mean, and when do I use it?
maltratar means "to mistreat" in English. Use it when you talk about the village animals, his employees in the factory, the garden plants and his little brother — for example: Yo maltrato a los animales del pueblo. — "I mistreat the village animals." 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 maltrato a los animales del pueblo. — "I mistreat the village animals." 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 maltratar?
No. maltratar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo maltrato a los animales del pueblo. — "I mistreat the village animals." 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 maltratar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo maltrato a los animales del pueblo. — "I mistreat the village animals." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo maltraté a los animales del pueblo. — "Yesterday, I mistreated the village animals." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.