Popularizar Conjugation in Spanish
popularizar means "to popularise" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the village music, the sport among young people, the recipe in the country and the dance at school. This page gives you the complete conjugation of popularizar 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. popularizar 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 popularizo la música del pueblo. — "Every day, I popularise the village music." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: popularizar
- English: to popularise
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: popularizando
- Past participle: popularizado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + popularizado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of popularizar with all six persons. The gerund is popularizando and the past participle is popularizado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | popularizo |
| tú | popularizas |
| él/ella/Ud. | populariza |
| nosotros/as | popularizamos |
| vosotros/as | popularizáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularizan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | popularicé |
| tú | popularizaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | popularizó |
| nosotros/as | popularizamos |
| vosotros/as | popularizasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularizaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | popularizaba |
| tú | popularizabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | popularizaba |
| nosotros/as | popularizábamos |
| vosotros/as | popularizabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularizaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | popularizaré |
| tú | popularizarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | popularizará |
| nosotros/as | popularizaremos |
| vosotros/as | popularizaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularizarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | popularizaría |
| tú | popularizarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | popularizaría |
| nosotros/as | popularizaríamos |
| vosotros/as | popularizaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularizarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he popularizado |
| tú | has popularizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha popularizado |
| nosotros/as | hemos popularizado |
| vosotros/as | habéis popularizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han popularizado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había popularizado |
| tú | habías popularizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había popularizado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos popularizado |
| vosotros/as | habíais popularizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían popularizado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré popularizado |
| tú | habrás popularizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá popularizado |
| nosotros/as | habremos popularizado |
| vosotros/as | habréis popularizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán popularizado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría popularizado |
| tú | habrías popularizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría popularizado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos popularizado |
| vosotros/as | habríais popularizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían popularizado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | popularice |
| tú | popularices |
| él/ella/Ud. | popularice |
| nosotros/as | popularicemos |
| vosotros/as | popularicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularicen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | popularizara |
| tú | popularizaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | popularizara |
| nosotros/as | popularizáramos |
| vosotros/as | popularizarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularizaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | populariza |
| él/ella/Ud. | popularice |
| nosotros/as | popularicemos |
| vosotros/as | popularizad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularicen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | popularices |
| él/ella/Ud. | popularice |
| nosotros/as | popularicemos |
| vosotros/as | popularicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | popularicen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about popularizar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of popularizar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo popularizo la música del pueblo. — "Every day, I popularise the village music." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo popularicé el deporte entre los jóvenes. — "Yesterday, I popularised the sport among young people." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is popularicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example popularice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of popularizar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo popularizaba la receta en el país. — "In the past, I used to popularise the recipe in the country." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros popularizaremos el baile en la escuela. — "Tomorrow, we will popularise the dance at school." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú popularizarías la música del pueblo. — "If you could, you would popularise the village music." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he popularizado el deporte entre los jóvenes. — "I have popularised the sport among young people." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había popularizado la receta en el país. — "Before the party, I had popularised the recipe in the country." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré popularizado el baile en la escuela. — "By tomorrow, I will have popularised the dance at school." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría popularizado la música del pueblo. — "If I had been able to, I would have popularised the village music." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él popularice el deporte entre los jóvenes. — "I hope that he/she popularises the sport among young people." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is popularicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example popularice. 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 popularizar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él popularizara la receta en el país, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she popularised the recipe in the country, everything would turn out better." For popularizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem populariz- 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 popularizar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Populariza el baile en la escuela! — "Popularise the dance at school!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is popularicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example popularice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of popularizar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No popularices la música del pueblo. — "Do not popularise the village music." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is popularicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example popularice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: popularizar in real sentences
Ten sentences with popularizar, 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 popularizo la música del pueblo. — "Every day, I popularise the village music." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo popularicé el deporte entre los jóvenes. — "Yesterday, I popularised the sport among young people." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo popularizaba la receta en el país. — "In the past, I used to popularise the recipe in the country." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros popularizaremos el baile en la escuela. — "Tomorrow, we will popularise the dance at school." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú popularizarías la música del pueblo. — "If you could, you would popularise the village music." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he popularizado el deporte entre los jóvenes. — "I have popularised the sport among young people." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él popularice la receta en el país. — "I hope that he/she popularises the recipe in the country." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él popularizara el baile en la escuela, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she popularised the dance at school, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Populariza la música del pueblo! — "Popularise the village music!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy popularizando el deporte entre los jóvenes. — "Now, I am popularising the sport among young people." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with popularizar
The errors learners actually make with popularizar, 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 popularizo la música del pueblo.
- Right: Yo popularizo la música del pueblo.
- Why: popularizar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo popularizo la música del pueblo. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él populariza el deporte entre los jóvenes.
- Right: Espero que él popularice el deporte entre los jóvenes.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for popularizar the subjunctive also changes z to c: popularice, not populariza.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo popularizo el deporte entre los jóvenes.
- Right: Ayer, yo popularicé el deporte entre los jóvenes.
- 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 popularicé el deporte entre los jóvenes. — "Yesterday, I popularised the sport among young people."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy popularizado la receta en el país.
- Right: Estoy popularizando la receta en el país.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund popularizando for the progressive. The participle popularizado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he popularizado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros populariza la música del pueblo.
- Right: Nosotros popularizamos la música del pueblo.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes popularizamos, while populariza belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: popularizar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on popularizar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of popularizar in the present tense?
- (a) popularizas
- (b) populariza
- (c) popularizamos
- (d) popularizo
Answer: (d) popularizo. The yo form is popularizo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of popularizar in the present tense?
- (a) populariza
- (b) popularizamos
- (c) popularizas
- (d) popularizo
Answer: (c) popularizas. The tú form is popularizas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of popularizar in the present tense?
- (a) popularizamos
- (b) populariza
- (c) popularizo
- (d) popularizas
Answer: (b) populariza. The él/ella form is populariza. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of popularizar in the present tense?
- (a) popularizamos
- (b) popularizo
- (c) popularizas
- (d) populariza
Answer: (a) popularizamos. The nosotros form is popularizamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of popularizar in the present tense?
- (a) popularizo
- (b) popularizas
- (c) populariza
- (d) popularizan
Answer: (d) popularizan. The ellos/ellas form is popularizan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of popularizar?
- (a) popularizado
- (b) popularizo
- (c) popularizar
- (d) popularizando
Answer: (d) popularizando. The gerund is popularizando, used for the progressive: estoy popularizando.
7. What is the past participle of popularizar?
- (a) popularicé
- (b) popularizar
- (c) popularizado
- (d) popularizando
Answer: (c) popularizado. The past participle is popularizado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he popularizado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la música del pueblo.
- (a) popularizamos
- (b) popularizo
- (c) popularizas
- (d) populariza
Answer: (b) popularizo. The sentence needs the yo form popularizo (Every day, I popularise the village music.)
9. What is the yo form of popularizar in the preterite?
- (a) popularicé
- (b) popularizaste
- (c) popularizó
- (d) popularizamos
Answer: (a) popularicé. The yo preterite is popularicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la receta en el país.
- (a) popularicemos
- (b) popularicéis
- (c) popularice
- (d) popularices
Answer: (c) popularice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is popularice.
Frequently asked questions about popularizar
Is popularizar regular?
Almost. popularizar 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 popularicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example popularice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does popularizar mean, and when do I use it?
popularizar means "to popularise" in English. Use it when you talk about the village music, the sport among young people, the recipe in the country and the dance at school — for example: Yo popularizo la música del pueblo. — "I popularise the village music." 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 popularizo la música del pueblo. — "I popularise the village music." 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 popularizar?
No. popularizar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo popularizo la música del pueblo. — "I popularise the village music." 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 popularizar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo popularizo la música del pueblo. — "I popularise the village music." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo popularicé la música del pueblo. — "Yesterday, I popularised the village music." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.