Obstinarse Conjugation in Spanish
obstinarse means "to insist stubbornly" in English, and it comes up when people talk about his idea during the debate, not leaving the house, his plan despite the risk and studying medicine. This page gives you the complete conjugation of obstinarse 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. obstinarse is a Reflexive 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 me obstino en su idea durante el debate. — "Every day, I insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: obstinarse
- English: to insist stubbornly
- Verb type: Reflexive regular -ar verb
- Gerund: obstinando
- Past participle: obstinado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + obstinado)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
Full conjugation table
Every tense of obstinarse with all six persons. The gerund is obstinando and the past participle is obstinado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | obstino |
| tú | obstinas |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstina |
| nosotros/as | obstinamos |
| vosotros/as | obstináis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | obstiné |
| tú | obstinaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstinó |
| nosotros/as | obstinamos |
| vosotros/as | obstinasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | obstinaba |
| tú | obstinabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstinaba |
| nosotros/as | obstinábamos |
| vosotros/as | obstinabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | obstinaré |
| tú | obstinarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstinará |
| nosotros/as | obstinaremos |
| vosotros/as | obstinaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | obstinaría |
| tú | obstinarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstinaría |
| nosotros/as | obstinaríamos |
| vosotros/as | obstinaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he obstinado |
| tú | has obstinado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha obstinado |
| nosotros/as | hemos obstinado |
| vosotros/as | habéis obstinado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han obstinado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había obstinado |
| tú | habías obstinado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había obstinado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos obstinado |
| vosotros/as | habíais obstinado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían obstinado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré obstinado |
| tú | habrás obstinado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá obstinado |
| nosotros/as | habremos obstinado |
| vosotros/as | habréis obstinado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán obstinado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría obstinado |
| tú | habrías obstinado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría obstinado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos obstinado |
| vosotros/as | habríais obstinado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían obstinado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | obstine |
| tú | obstines |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstine |
| nosotros/as | obstinemos |
| vosotros/as | obstinéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | obstinara |
| tú | obstinaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstinara |
| nosotros/as | obstináramos |
| vosotros/as | obstinarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | obstina |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstine |
| nosotros/as | obstinemos |
| vosotros/as | obstinad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | obstines |
| él/ella/Ud. | obstine |
| nosotros/as | obstinemos |
| vosotros/as | obstinéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | obstinen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about obstinarse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of obstinarse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me obstino en su idea durante el debate. — "Every day, I insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me obstiné en no salir de casa. — "Yesterday, I insisted stubbornly in not leaving the house." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me obstinaba en su plan a pesar del riesgo. — "In the past, I used to insist stubbornly in his plan despite the risk." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos obstinaremos en estudiar medicina. — "Tomorrow, we will insist stubbornly in studying medicine." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te obstinarías en su idea durante el debate. — "If you could, you would insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he obstinado en no salir de casa. — "I have insisted stubbornly in not leaving the house." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había obstinado en su plan a pesar del riesgo. — "Before the party, I had insisted stubbornly in his plan despite the risk." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré obstinado en estudiar medicina. — "By tomorrow, I will have insisted stubbornly in studying medicine." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría obstinado en su idea durante el debate. — "If I had been able to, I would have insisted stubbornly in his idea during the debate." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se obstine en no salir de casa. — "I hope that he/she insists stubbornly in not leaving the house." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se obstinara en su plan a pesar del riesgo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she insisted stubbornly in his plan despite the risk, everything would turn out better." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se obstine en estudiar medicina! — "Let him/her insist stubbornly in studying medicine!" For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- 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 obstinarse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te obstines en su idea durante el debate. — "Do not insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." For obstinarse this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem obstin- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: obstinarse in real sentences
Ten sentences with obstinarse, 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 obstino en su idea durante el debate. — "Every day, I insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me obstiné en no salir de casa. — "Yesterday, I insisted stubbornly in not leaving the house." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me obstinaba en su plan a pesar del riesgo. — "In the past, I used to insist stubbornly in his plan despite the risk." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos obstinaremos en estudiar medicina. — "Tomorrow, we will insist stubbornly in studying medicine." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te obstinarías en su idea durante el debate. — "If you could, you would insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he obstinado en no salir de casa. — "I have insisted stubbornly in not leaving the house." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se obstine en su plan a pesar del riesgo. — "I hope that he/she insists stubbornly in his plan despite the risk." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se obstinara en estudiar medicina, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she insisted stubbornly in studying medicine, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te obstines en su idea durante el debate! — "Do not insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy obstinando en no salir de casa. — "Now, I am insisting stubbornly in not leaving the house." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with obstinarse
The errors learners actually make with obstinarse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo obstino en su idea durante el debate.
- Right: Yo me obstino en su idea durante el debate.
- Why: obstinarse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me obstino en su idea durante el debate.. Without me the sentence is incomplete, and it sounds as if the action happens to someone else.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros os obstinais en su idea durante el debate.
- Right: Vosotros os obstináis en su idea durante el debate.
- Why: The vosotros form obstináis 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 me obstino en no salir de casa.
- Right: Ayer, yo me obstiné en no salir de casa.
- 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 obstiné en no salir de casa. — "Yesterday, I insisted stubbornly in not leaving the house."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy obstinado en su plan a pesar del riesgo.
- Right: Me estoy obstinando en su plan a pesar del riesgo.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund obstinando for the progressive. The participle obstinado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he obstinado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros nos obstina en su idea durante el debate.
- Right: Nosotros nos obstinamos en su idea durante el debate.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes obstinamos, while obstina belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: obstinarse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on obstinarse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of obstinarse in the present tense?
- (a) obstinas
- (b) obstina
- (c) obstinamos
- (d) obstino
Answer: (d) obstino. The yo form is obstino. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of obstinarse in the present tense?
- (a) obstina
- (b) obstinamos
- (c) obstinas
- (d) obstino
Answer: (c) obstinas. The tú form is obstinas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of obstinarse in the present tense?
- (a) obstinamos
- (b) obstina
- (c) obstino
- (d) obstinas
Answer: (b) obstina. The él/ella form is obstina. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of obstinarse in the present tense?
- (a) obstinamos
- (b) obstino
- (c) obstinas
- (d) obstina
Answer: (a) obstinamos. The nosotros form is obstinamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of obstinarse in the present tense?
- (a) obstino
- (b) obstinas
- (c) obstina
- (d) obstinan
Answer: (d) obstinan. The ellos/ellas form is obstinan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of obstinarse?
- (a) obstinado
- (b) obstino
- (c) obstinarse
- (d) obstinando
Answer: (d) obstinando. The gerund is obstinando, used for the progressive: me estoy obstinando.
7. What is the past participle of obstinarse?
- (a) obstiné
- (b) obstinarse
- (c) obstinado
- (d) obstinando
Answer: (c) obstinado. The past participle is obstinado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he obstinado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ en su idea durante el debate.
- (a) obstinamos
- (b) obstino
- (c) obstinas
- (d) obstina
Answer: (b) obstino. The sentence needs the yo form obstino (Every day, I insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate.)
9. What is the yo form of obstinarse in the preterite?
- (a) obstiné
- (b) obstinaste
- (c) obstinó
- (d) obstinamos
Answer: (a) obstiné. The yo preterite is obstiné. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ en su plan a pesar del riesgo.
- (a) obstinemos
- (b) obstinéis
- (c) obstine
- (d) obstines
Answer: (c) obstine. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is obstine.
Frequently asked questions about obstinarse
Is obstinarse regular?
Yes. obstinarse is a regular -ar verb: obstino, obstiné, obstinaba, obstinaré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does obstinarse mean, and when do I use it?
obstinarse means "to insist stubbornly" in English. Use it when you talk about his idea during the debate, not leaving the house, his plan despite the risk and studying medicine — for example: Yo me obstino en su idea durante el debate. — "I insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." 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 obstino en su idea durante el debate. — "I insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." 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 obstinarse reflexive?
Yes. obstinarse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me obstino en su idea durante el debate. — "I insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." 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 obstinarse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me obstino en su idea durante el debate. — "I insist stubbornly in his idea during the debate." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me obstiné en su idea durante el debate. — "Yesterday, I insisted stubbornly in his idea during the debate." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.