Manifestarse Conjugation in Spanish
manifestarse means "to show oneself, to protest" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the square for peace, the government in the street, the centre for the climate and placards at the demonstration. This page gives you the complete conjugation of manifestarse 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. manifestarse is a Reflexive stem-changing (e → ie) -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 me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz. — "Every day, I show oneself in the square for peace." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: manifestarse
- English: to show oneself, to protest
- Verb type: Reflexive stem-changing (e → ie) -ar verb
- Gerund: manifestando
- Past participle: manifestado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + manifestado)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
- Stem change: e → ie in the present, the present subjunctive and related forms (see the notes below).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of manifestarse with all six persons. The gerund is manifestando and the past participle is manifestado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | manifiesto |
| tú | manifiestas |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifiesta |
| nosotros/as | manifestamos |
| vosotros/as | manifestáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifiestan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | manifesté |
| tú | manifestaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifestó |
| nosotros/as | manifestamos |
| vosotros/as | manifestasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifestaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | manifestaba |
| tú | manifestabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifestaba |
| nosotros/as | manifestábamos |
| vosotros/as | manifestabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifestaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | manifestaré |
| tú | manifestarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifestará |
| nosotros/as | manifestaremos |
| vosotros/as | manifestaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifestarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | manifestaría |
| tú | manifestarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifestaría |
| nosotros/as | manifestaríamos |
| vosotros/as | manifestaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifestarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he manifestado |
| tú | has manifestado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha manifestado |
| nosotros/as | hemos manifestado |
| vosotros/as | habéis manifestado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han manifestado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había manifestado |
| tú | habías manifestado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había manifestado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos manifestado |
| vosotros/as | habíais manifestado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían manifestado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré manifestado |
| tú | habrás manifestado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá manifestado |
| nosotros/as | habremos manifestado |
| vosotros/as | habréis manifestado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán manifestado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría manifestado |
| tú | habrías manifestado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría manifestado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos manifestado |
| vosotros/as | habríais manifestado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían manifestado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | manifieste |
| tú | manifiestes |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifieste |
| nosotros/as | manifestemos |
| vosotros/as | manifestéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifiesten |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | manifestara |
| tú | manifestaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifestara |
| nosotros/as | manifestáramos |
| vosotros/as | manifestarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifestaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | manifiesta |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifieste |
| nosotros/as | manifestemos |
| vosotros/as | manifestad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifiesten |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | manifiestes |
| él/ella/Ud. | manifieste |
| nosotros/as | manifestemos |
| vosotros/as | manifestéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | manifiesten |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about manifestarse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of manifestarse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz. — "Every day, I show oneself in the square for peace." In this tense manifestarse is irregular: memorise the forms in the table above — for example, yo manifiesto and él manifiesta. 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 manifestarse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me manifesté contra el gobierno en la calle. — "Yesterday, I showed oneself against the government in the street." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me manifestaba en el centro por el clima. — "In the past, I used to show oneself in the centre for the climate." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos manifestaremos con carteles en la manifestación. — "Tomorrow, we will show oneself with placards at the demonstration." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te manifestarías en la plaza por la paz. — "If you could, you would show oneself in the square for peace." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he manifestado contra el gobierno en la calle. — "I have showed oneself against the government in the street." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había manifestado en el centro por el clima. — "Before the party, I had showed oneself in the centre for the climate." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré manifestado con carteles en la manifestación. — "By tomorrow, I will have showed oneself with placards at the demonstration." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría manifestado en la plaza por la paz. — "If I had been able to, I would have showed oneself in the square for peace." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se manifieste contra el gobierno en la calle. — "I hope that he/she shows oneself against the government in the street." In this tense manifestarse is irregular: memorise the forms in the table above — for example, yo manifieste and él manifieste. 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 manifestarse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se manifestara en el centro por el clima, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she showed oneself in the centre for the climate, everything would turn out better." For manifestarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem manifest- 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 manifestarse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se manifieste con carteles en la manifestación! — "Let him/her show oneself with placards at the demonstration!" In this tense manifestarse is irregular: memorise the forms in the table above — for example, yo — and él manifieste. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of manifestarse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te manifiestes en la plaza por la paz. — "Do not show oneself in the square for peace." In this tense manifestarse is irregular: memorise the forms in the table above — for example, yo — and él manifieste. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: manifestarse in real sentences
Ten sentences with manifestarse, 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 me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz. — "Every day, I show oneself in the square for peace." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me manifesté contra el gobierno en la calle. — "Yesterday, I showed oneself against the government in the street." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me manifestaba en el centro por el clima. — "In the past, I used to show oneself in the centre for the climate." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos manifestaremos con carteles en la manifestación. — "Tomorrow, we will show oneself with placards at the demonstration." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te manifestarías en la plaza por la paz. — "If you could, you would show oneself in the square for peace." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he manifestado contra el gobierno en la calle. — "I have showed oneself against the government in the street." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se manifieste en el centro por el clima. — "I hope that he/she shows oneself in the centre for the climate." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se manifestara con carteles en la manifestación, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she showed oneself with placards at the demonstration, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te manifiestes en la plaza por la paz! — "Do not show oneself in the square for peace!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy manifestando contra el gobierno en la calle. — "Now, I am showing oneself against the government in the street." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with manifestarse
The errors learners actually make with manifestarse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo manifiesto en la plaza por la paz.
- Right: Yo me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz.
- Why: manifestarse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz.. Without me the sentence is incomplete, and it sounds as if the action happens to someone else.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the stem change
- Wrong: Yo me manifesto en la plaza por la paz.
- Right: Yo me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz.
- Why: manifestarse changes its stem (e → ie) in the yo, tú, él and ellos forms. The correct yo form is manifiesto, never manifesto.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo me manifiesto contra el gobierno en la calle.
- Right: Ayer, yo me manifesté contra el gobierno en la calle.
- 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 me manifesté contra el gobierno en la calle. — "Yesterday, I showed oneself against the government in the street."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy manifestado en el centro por el clima.
- Right: Me estoy manifestando en el centro por el clima.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund manifestando for the progressive. The participle manifestado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he manifestado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros nos manifiesta en la plaza por la paz.
- Right: Nosotros nos manifestamos en la plaza por la paz.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes manifestamos, while manifiesta belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: manifestarse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on manifestarse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of manifestarse in the present tense?
- (a) manifiesta
- (b) manifestamos
- (c) manifiesto
- (d) manifiestas
Answer: (c) manifiesto. The yo form is manifiesto. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of manifestarse in the present tense?
- (a) manifestamos
- (b) manifiestas
- (c) manifiesto
- (d) manifiesta
Answer: (b) manifiestas. The tú form is manifiestas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of manifestarse in the present tense?
- (a) manifiesta
- (b) manifiesto
- (c) manifiestas
- (d) manifestamos
Answer: (a) manifiesta. The él/ella form is manifiesta. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of manifestarse in the present tense?
- (a) manifiesto
- (b) manifiestas
- (c) manifiesta
- (d) manifestamos
Answer: (d) manifestamos. The nosotros form is manifestamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of manifestarse in the present tense?
- (a) manifiestas
- (b) manifiesta
- (c) manifiestan
- (d) manifiesto
Answer: (c) manifiestan. The ellos/ellas form is manifiestan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of manifestarse?
- (a) manifiesto
- (b) manifestarse
- (c) manifestando
- (d) manifestado
Answer: (c) manifestando. The gerund is manifestando, used for the progressive: me estoy manifestando.
7. What is the past participle of manifestarse?
- (a) manifestarse
- (b) manifestado
- (c) manifestando
- (d) manifesté
Answer: (b) manifestado. The past participle is manifestado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he manifestado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ en la plaza por la paz.
- (a) manifiesto
- (b) manifiestas
- (c) manifiesta
- (d) manifestamos
Answer: (a) manifiesto. The sentence needs the yo form manifiesto (Every day, I show oneself in the square for peace.)
9. What is the yo form of manifestarse in the preterite?
- (a) manifestaste
- (b) manifestó
- (c) manifestamos
- (d) manifesté
Answer: (d) manifesté. The yo preterite is manifesté. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ en el centro por el clima.
- (a) manifestéis
- (b) manifieste
- (c) manifiestes
- (d) manifestemos
Answer: (b) manifieste. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is manifieste.
Frequently asked questions about manifestarse
Is manifestarse regular?
Not quite. manifestarse is a stem-changing -ar verb (e → ie): the stem changes in the yo, tú, él and ellos forms of the present and the present subjunctive, for example manifiesto and manifieste, but it stays the same in nosotros and vosotros. All the other tenses follow the regular pattern.
What does manifestarse mean, and when do I use it?
manifestarse means "to show oneself, to protest" in English. Use it when you talk about the square for peace, the government in the street, the centre for the climate and placards at the demonstration — for example: Yo me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz. — "I show oneself in the square for peace." 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 me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz. — "I show oneself in the square for peace." 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 manifestarse reflexive?
Yes. manifestarse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz. — "I show oneself in the square for peace." If you drop the pronoun, the sentence is incomplete. The pronoun goes before the conjugated verb, and it attaches to the end of the gerund and of affirmative imperatives.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with manifestarse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me manifiesto en la plaza por la paz. — "I show oneself in the square for peace." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me manifesté en la plaza por la paz. — "Yesterday, I showed oneself in the square for peace." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.