Privatizar Conjugation in Spanish
privatizar means "to privatise" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the electricity company, the city hospital, the region's water and the village transport. This page gives you the complete conjugation of privatizar 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. privatizar 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 privatizo la empresa de electricidad. — "Every day, I privatise the electricity company." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: privatizar
- English: to privatise
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: privatizando
- Past participle: privatizado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + privatizado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of privatizar with all six persons. The gerund is privatizando and the past participle is privatizado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | privatizo |
| tú | privatizas |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatiza |
| nosotros/as | privatizamos |
| vosotros/as | privatizáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privatizan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | privaticé |
| tú | privatizaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatizó |
| nosotros/as | privatizamos |
| vosotros/as | privatizasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privatizaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | privatizaba |
| tú | privatizabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatizaba |
| nosotros/as | privatizábamos |
| vosotros/as | privatizabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privatizaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | privatizaré |
| tú | privatizarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatizará |
| nosotros/as | privatizaremos |
| vosotros/as | privatizaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privatizarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | privatizaría |
| tú | privatizarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatizaría |
| nosotros/as | privatizaríamos |
| vosotros/as | privatizaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privatizarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he privatizado |
| tú | has privatizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha privatizado |
| nosotros/as | hemos privatizado |
| vosotros/as | habéis privatizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han privatizado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había privatizado |
| tú | habías privatizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había privatizado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos privatizado |
| vosotros/as | habíais privatizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían privatizado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré privatizado |
| tú | habrás privatizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá privatizado |
| nosotros/as | habremos privatizado |
| vosotros/as | habréis privatizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán privatizado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría privatizado |
| tú | habrías privatizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría privatizado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos privatizado |
| vosotros/as | habríais privatizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían privatizado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | privatice |
| tú | privatices |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatice |
| nosotros/as | privaticemos |
| vosotros/as | privaticéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privaticen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | privatizara |
| tú | privatizaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatizara |
| nosotros/as | privatizáramos |
| vosotros/as | privatizarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privatizaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | privatiza |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatice |
| nosotros/as | privaticemos |
| vosotros/as | privatizad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privaticen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | privatices |
| él/ella/Ud. | privatice |
| nosotros/as | privaticemos |
| vosotros/as | privaticéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | privaticen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about privatizar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of privatizar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo privatizo la empresa de electricidad. — "Every day, I privatise the electricity company." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo privaticé el hospital de la ciudad. — "Yesterday, I privatised the city hospital." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is privaticé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example privatice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of privatizar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo privatizaba el agua de la región. — "In the past, I used to privatise the region's water." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros privatizaremos el transporte del pueblo. — "Tomorrow, we will privatise the village transport." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú privatizarías la empresa de electricidad. — "If you could, you would privatise the electricity company." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he privatizado el hospital de la ciudad. — "I have privatised the city hospital." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había privatizado el agua de la región. — "Before the party, I had privatised the region's water." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré privatizado el transporte del pueblo. — "By tomorrow, I will have privatised the village transport." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría privatizado la empresa de electricidad. — "If I had been able to, I would have privatised the electricity company." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él privatice el hospital de la ciudad. — "I hope that he/she privatises the city hospital." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is privaticé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example privatice. 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 privatizar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él privatizara el agua de la región, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she privatised the region's water, everything would turn out better." For privatizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem privatiz- 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 privatizar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Privatiza el transporte del pueblo! — "Privatise the village transport!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is privaticé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example privatice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of privatizar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No privatices la empresa de electricidad. — "Do not privatise the electricity company." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is privaticé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example privatice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: privatizar in real sentences
Ten sentences with privatizar, 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 privatizo la empresa de electricidad. — "Every day, I privatise the electricity company." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo privaticé el hospital de la ciudad. — "Yesterday, I privatised the city hospital." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo privatizaba el agua de la región. — "In the past, I used to privatise the region's water." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros privatizaremos el transporte del pueblo. — "Tomorrow, we will privatise the village transport." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú privatizarías la empresa de electricidad. — "If you could, you would privatise the electricity company." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he privatizado el hospital de la ciudad. — "I have privatised the city hospital." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él privatice el agua de la región. — "I hope that he/she privatises the region's water." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él privatizara el transporte del pueblo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she privatised the village transport, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Privatiza la empresa de electricidad! — "Privatise the electricity company!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy privatizando el hospital de la ciudad. — "Now, I am privatising the city hospital." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with privatizar
The errors learners actually make with privatizar, 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 privatizo la empresa de electricidad.
- Right: Yo privatizo la empresa de electricidad.
- Why: privatizar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo privatizo la empresa de electricidad. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él privatiza el hospital de la ciudad.
- Right: Espero que él privatice el hospital de la ciudad.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for privatizar the subjunctive also changes z to c: privatice, not privatiza.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo privatizo el hospital de la ciudad.
- Right: Ayer, yo privaticé el hospital de la ciudad.
- 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 privaticé el hospital de la ciudad. — "Yesterday, I privatised the city hospital."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy privatizado el agua de la región.
- Right: Estoy privatizando el agua de la región.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund privatizando for the progressive. The participle privatizado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he privatizado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros privatiza la empresa de electricidad.
- Right: Nosotros privatizamos la empresa de electricidad.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes privatizamos, while privatiza belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: privatizar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on privatizar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of privatizar in the present tense?
- (a) privatizo
- (b) privatizas
- (c) privatiza
- (d) privatizamos
Answer: (a) privatizo. The yo form is privatizo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of privatizar in the present tense?
- (a) privatizo
- (b) privatiza
- (c) privatizamos
- (d) privatizas
Answer: (d) privatizas. The tú form is privatizas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of privatizar in the present tense?
- (a) privatizas
- (b) privatizamos
- (c) privatiza
- (d) privatizo
Answer: (c) privatiza. The él/ella form is privatiza. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of privatizar in the present tense?
- (a) privatiza
- (b) privatizamos
- (c) privatizo
- (d) privatizas
Answer: (b) privatizamos. The nosotros form is privatizamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of privatizar in the present tense?
- (a) privatizan
- (b) privatizo
- (c) privatizas
- (d) privatiza
Answer: (a) privatizan. The ellos/ellas form is privatizan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of privatizar?
- (a) privatizando
- (b) privatizado
- (c) privatizo
- (d) privatizar
Answer: (a) privatizando. The gerund is privatizando, used for the progressive: estoy privatizando.
7. What is the past participle of privatizar?
- (a) privatizando
- (b) privaticé
- (c) privatizar
- (d) privatizado
Answer: (d) privatizado. The past participle is privatizado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he privatizado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la empresa de electricidad.
- (a) privatiza
- (b) privatizamos
- (c) privatizo
- (d) privatizas
Answer: (c) privatizo. The sentence needs the yo form privatizo (Every day, I privatise the electricity company.)
9. What is the yo form of privatizar in the preterite?
- (a) privatizamos
- (b) privaticé
- (c) privatizaste
- (d) privatizó
Answer: (b) privaticé. The yo preterite is privaticé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el agua de la región.
- (a) privatices
- (b) privaticemos
- (c) privaticéis
- (d) privatice
Answer: (d) privatice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is privatice.
Frequently asked questions about privatizar
Is privatizar regular?
Almost. privatizar 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 privaticé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example privatice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does privatizar mean, and when do I use it?
privatizar means "to privatise" in English. Use it when you talk about the electricity company, the city hospital, the region's water and the village transport — for example: Yo privatizo la empresa de electricidad. — "I privatise the electricity company." 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 privatizo la empresa de electricidad. — "I privatise the electricity company." 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 privatizar?
No. privatizar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo privatizo la empresa de electricidad. — "I privatise the electricity company." 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 privatizar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo privatizo la empresa de electricidad. — "I privatise the electricity company." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo privaticé la empresa de electricidad. — "Yesterday, I privatised the electricity company." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.