Satisfacer Conjugation in Spanish
The Spanish verb satisfacer means to satisfy, and it is a verb you will use again and again once you know it. Satisfacer means to satisfy, and it is used for satisfying a need, a client, a hunger or a curiosity. It follows the pattern of hacer, with the present satisfago, the preterite satisfice and the irregular participle satisfecho. Like every Spanish verb, satisfacer changes its ending for each person and tense, and this page gives you the complete picture: every tense, every person, the gerund and the past participle, all from the verified conjugation tables. For example, in the present tense you say satisfago las necesidades de los clientes, and in the preterite you say satisfice el hambre con un bocadillo. Work through the tables below, read the notes for each tense, and then test yourself with the examples, the common mistakes and the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: satisfacer
- English: to satisfy
- Verb type: irregular verb
- Ending: -er
- Gerund: satisfaciendo
- Past participle: satisfecho
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all perfect tenses are formed with haber + satisfecho)
Pronunciation is not listed on this page: the verified tables do not include IPA for satisfacer, so no pronunciation is given rather than an invented one. Satisfacer follows hacer: the present is satisfago, the preterite is satisfice, and the participle is satisfecho.
Full conjugation tables
Every form below comes from the verified conjugation tables for satisfacer. The imperfect subjunctive is shown in its -ra forms; the -se forms use the same stem. For reflexive verbs, the pronoun column shows the reflexive pronoun that goes before each form.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | satisfago |
| tú | satisfaces |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisface |
| nosotros/as | satisfacemos |
| vosotros/as | satisfacéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisfacen |
Preterite
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | satisfice |
| tú | satisficiste |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisfizo |
| nosotros/as | satisficimos |
| vosotros/as | satisficisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisficieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | satisfacía |
| tú | satisfacías |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisfacía |
| nosotros/as | satisfacíamos |
| vosotros/as | satisfacíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisfacían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | satisfaré |
| tú | satisfarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisfará |
| nosotros/as | satisfaremos |
| vosotros/as | satisfaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisfarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | satisfaría |
| tú | satisfarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisfaría |
| nosotros/as | satisfaríamos |
| vosotros/as | satisfaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisfarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he satisfecho |
| tú | has satisfecho |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha satisfecho |
| nosotros/as | hemos satisfecho |
| vosotros/as | habéis satisfecho |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han satisfecho |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había satisfecho |
| tú | habías satisfecho |
| él/ella/Ud. | había satisfecho |
| nosotros/as | habíamos satisfecho |
| vosotros/as | habíais satisfecho |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían satisfecho |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré satisfecho |
| tú | habrás satisfecho |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá satisfecho |
| nosotros/as | habremos satisfecho |
| vosotros/as | habréis satisfecho |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán satisfecho |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría satisfecho |
| tú | habrías satisfecho |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría satisfecho |
| nosotros/as | habríamos satisfecho |
| vosotros/as | habríais satisfecho |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían satisfecho |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | satisfaga |
| tú | satisfagas |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisfaga |
| nosotros/as | satisfagamos |
| vosotros/as | satisfagáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisfagan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | satisficiera |
| tú | satisficieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisficiera |
| nosotros/as | satisficiéramos |
| vosotros/as | satisficierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisficieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | satisfaz |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisfaga |
| nosotros/as | satisfagamos |
| vosotros/as | satisfaced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisfagan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | satisfagas |
| él/ella/Ud. | satisfaga |
| nosotros/as | satisfagamos |
| vosotros/as | satisfagáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | satisfagan |
Gerund and past participle
| Form | Spanish | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | satisfaciendo | with estar for the progressive: estoy satisfaciendo |
| Past participle | satisfecho | with haber for the perfect tenses: he satisfecho |
How to use each tense
Present indicative
Use the present for routines, general facts and what is happening right now. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of hacer, with a -g- in the present (as in deshago), a -c- stem in the preterite (as in deshice), and an irregular participle (as in deshecho). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For satisfacer, the present looks like this in a real sentence: Satisfago las necesidades de los clientes. Learn the present forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Preterite
Use the preterite for finished actions with a clear end, often with ayer, el año pasado or anoche. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of hacer, with a -g- in the present (as in deshago), a -c- stem in the preterite (as in deshice), and an irregular participle (as in deshecho). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For satisfacer, the preterite looks like this in a real sentence: Ayer, satisfice su curiosidad con un libro. Learn the preterite forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperfect
Use the imperfect for background, habits and actions in progress in the past, often with de niño, antes or mientras. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For satisfacer, the imperfect looks like this in a real sentence: De niño, satisfacía el hambre con un bocadillo. Learn the imperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Future
Use the future for plans, predictions and promises, often with mañana, el año que viene or pronto. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of hacer, with a -g- in the present (as in deshago), a -c- stem in the preterite (as in deshice), and an irregular participle (as in deshecho). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For satisfacer, the future looks like this in a real sentence: Mañana, satisfaré a su jefe con el informe. Learn the future forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Conditional
Use the conditional for polite requests, hypotheticals and what would happen, often with si clauses. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of hacer, with a -g- in the present (as in deshago), a -c- stem in the preterite (as in deshice), and an irregular participle (as in deshecho). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For satisfacer, the conditional looks like this in a real sentence: Satisfaría las necesidades de los clientes si pudiera. Learn the conditional forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Present perfect
Use the present perfect for recent actions and experiences, often with hoy, esta semana or ya. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is satisfecho, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For satisfacer, the present perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Hoy, he satisfecho su curiosidad con un libro. Learn the present perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Pluperfect
Use the pluperfect when one past action happened before another past action. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is satisfecho, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For satisfacer, the pluperfect looks like this in a real sentence: Había satisfecho el hambre con un bocadillo antes de salir. Learn the pluperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Future perfect
Use the future perfect for something that will already be finished by a future time. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is satisfecho, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For satisfacer, the future perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Para mañana, habré satisfecho a su jefe con el informe. Learn the future perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Conditional perfect
Use the conditional perfect for what would have happened under different conditions. This tense is irregular for this verb only because the past participle is satisfecho, not the regular form — the auxiliary haber is completely regular. For satisfacer, the conditional perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Habría satisfecho las necesidades de los clientes con más tiempo. Learn the conditional perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Present subjunctive
Use the present subjunctive after expressions of wish, doubt, emotion and hope, such as espero que or quiero que. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of hacer, with a -g- in the present (as in deshago), a -c- stem in the preterite (as in deshice), and an irregular participle (as in deshecho). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For satisfacer, the present subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Espero que él satisfaga su curiosidad con un libro. Learn the present subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
Use the imperfect subjunctive after past wishes and in si clauses about the past, and note the -ra forms shown here; the -se forms use the same stem. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of hacer, with a -g- in the present (as in deshago), a -c- stem in the preterite (as in deshice), and an irregular participle (as in deshecho). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For satisfacer, the imperfect subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Si él satisficiera el hambre con un bocadillo, todo cambiaría. Learn the imperfect subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperative (affirmative)
Use the affirmative imperative for direct commands, instructions and invitations. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of hacer, with a -g- in the present (as in deshago), a -c- stem in the preterite (as in deshice), and an irregular participle (as in deshecho). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For satisfacer, the affirmative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: ¡Satisfaz a su jefe con el informe! Learn the affirmative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperative (negative)
Use the negative imperative, always with no, to tell someone not to do something. This tense is irregular for this verb: it follows the pattern of hacer, with a -g- in the present (as in deshago), a -c- stem in the preterite (as in deshice), and an irregular participle (as in deshecho). Learn the forms in the table rather than guessing them from the infinitive. For satisfacer, the negative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: No satisfagas las necesidades de los clientes. Learn the negative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Example sentences
Ten natural sentences with satisfacer, covering different tenses and persons. Each one uses a form from the tables above.
- Satisfago las necesidades de los clientes. — I satisfy the clients' needs.
- Satisface su curiosidad con un libro. — He/she satisfies his curiosity with a book.
- Ayer, satisfice el hambre con un bocadillo. — Yesterday, I satisfied hunger with a sandwich.
- Antes, nosotros satisfacíamos a su jefe con el informe. — Before, we used to satisfy his boss with the report.
- Mañana, tú satisfarás las necesidades de los clientes. — Tomorrow, you will satisfy the clients' needs.
- Yo satisfaría su curiosidad con un libro si tuviera más tiempo. — I would satisfy his curiosity with a book if I had more time.
- Él ha satisfecho el hambre con un bocadillo. — He has satisfied hunger with a sandwich.
- Espero que él satisfaga a su jefe con el informe. — I hope he satisfies his boss with the report.
- Yo ya había satisfecho las necesidades de los clientes antes de salir. — I had already satisfied the clients' needs before leaving.
- Ellos satisfacían su curiosidad con un libro cuando eran jóvenes. — They used to satisfy his curiosity with a book when they were young.
Common mistakes
- Wrong: Yo satisface las necesidades de los clientes. — Right: Yo satisfago las necesidades de los clientes. — The person matters: satisface is the él/ella/Ud. form, while the yo form is satisfago. Using the third-person form with yo is one of the most common beginner errors.
- Wrong: Ayer yo satisfací su curiosidad con un libro. — Right: Ayer yo satisfice su curiosidad con un libro. — Satisfacer has an irregular preterite: the correct first-person form is satisfice, not the regular satisfací. Learn the preterite forms in the table as a set.
- Wrong: Treating satisfacer and complacer as identical in every context. — Right: Satisfacer means to satisfy, while complacer means to please. — They overlap, but each has uses the other does not: satisfacer fits sentences such as Satisfago las necesidades de los clientes, while complacer belongs in a different sentence. Check the meaning you want before choosing.
- Wrong: Yo soy satisfecho su curiosidad con un libro. — Right: Yo he satisfecho su curiosidad con un libro. — Spanish perfect tenses use haber, not ser: he satisfecho, has satisfecho, ha satisfecho. Ser plus the participle makes a passive, not a perfect tense.
- Wrong: De niño, yo satisfice el hambre con un bocadillo todos los días. — Right: De niño, yo satisfacía el hambre con un bocadillo todos los días. — For a repeated habit in the past, use the imperfect (satisfacía), not the preterite. The preterite (satisfice) is for one finished action.
Quiz: test yourself
Ten questions on satisfacer. Choose the right form, then check the answer key below.
Complete the sentence: Yo ___ las necesidades de los clientes. (present tense) A. satisfago B. satisfaces C. satisface D. satisfacemos
Complete the sentence: Ayer, él ___ su curiosidad con un libro. (preterite) A. satisfice B. satisficiste C. satisficieron D. satisfizo
Complete the sentence: Antes, nosotros ___ el hambre con un bocadillo. (imperfect) A. satisfacías B. satisfacían C. satisfacíamos D. satisfacía
Complete the sentence: Mañana, tú ___ a su jefe con el informe. (future) A. satisfaremos B. satisfarás C. satisfaré D. satisfará
Complete the sentence: Yo ___ las necesidades de los clientes si pudiera. (conditional) A. satisfaría B. satisfarías C. satisfarían D. satisfago
Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ su curiosidad con un libro. (present subjunctive) A. satisfagas B. satisfagamos C. satisfago D. satisfaga
Complete the sentence: Si yo ___ el hambre con un bocadillo, todo cambiaría. (imperfect subjunctive, -ra form) A. satisficiéramos B. satisfago C. satisficiera D. satisficieras
Complete the sentence: Nosotros ___ a su jefe con el informe. (present perfect) A. han satisfecho B. hemos satisfecho C. he satisfecho D. has satisfecho
Complete the command: ¡___ las necesidades de los clientes! (affirmative imperative, tú) A. satisfaz B. satisfaga C. satisfagamos D. satisfaced
Which is the gerund of satisfacer, used with estar for the progressive? A. satisfecho B. satisfago C. satisfice D. satisfaciendo
Answer key
- satisfago — The first-person present of satisfacer is satisfago. The other options are the tú, él/ella and nosotros forms.
- satisfizo — The third-person preterite of satisfacer is satisfizo, the form for a single finished action in the past.
- satisfacíamos — The nosotros imperfect of satisfacer is satisfacíamos, used here for a repeated past habit.
- satisfarás — The second-person future of satisfacer is satisfarás.
- satisfaría — The first-person conditional of satisfacer is satisfaría, the form for what would happen.
- satisfaga — After espero que, the subjunctive is required: the third-person present subjunctive of satisfacer is satisfaga.
- satisficiera — The first-person imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of satisfacer is satisficiera.
- hemos satisfecho — The nosotros present perfect of satisfacer is hemos satisfecho: hemos + satisfecho.
- satisfaz — The affirmative tú imperative of satisfacer is satisfaz.
- satisfaciendo — The gerund of satisfacer is satisfaciendo: estoy satisfaciendo. The participle satisfecho is used with haber instead.
Frequently asked questions
What does satisfacer mean in English?
Satisfacer means to satisfy. It is used in everyday situations such as Satisfago las necesidades de los clientes. The exact English wording depends on the context, but the core meaning stays the same across the tenses.
Is satisfacer regular or irregular?
Satisfacer is irregular in present, preterite, future, conditional, present-subjunctive, imperfect-subjunctive, past-participle, present-perfect, pluperfect, future-perfect, conditional-perfect, imperative-affirmative, imperative-negative. The other tenses follow the regular pattern. Learn the irregular forms from the tables above rather than guessing them from the infinitive.
What is the difference between satisfacer and complacer?
Satisfacer means to satisfy, while complacer means to please. They are easy to confuse because they appear in similar situations, but they are not interchangeable: use satisfacer when you mean to satisfy, as in Satisfago las necesidades de los clientes, and use complacer for to please. When in doubt, check the object of the sentence — it usually shows which verb fits.
How do I say “I satisfy” in the past?
It depends on the kind of past. For one finished action, use the preterite: yo satisfice su curiosidad con un libro. For a repeated habit or background in the past, use the imperfect: yo satisfacía el hambre con un bocadillo. For something that has just happened, use the present perfect: yo he satisfecho su curiosidad con un libro.
How do I practise satisfacer?
Start with the present tense table, then drill the preterite and the imperfect, since those two past tenses cause the most mistakes. Try the satisfacer examples and quiz page for more sentences, and use the Spanish Verb Quiz to test the forms under pressure.
Related links
- Satisfacer in the preterite tense — the full preterite-tense table for satisfacer.
- Satisfacer examples and quiz — more example sentences and practice for satisfacer.
- Spanish verbs — the Spanish hub, with every verb and tense guide.
- Complete list of Spanish irregular verbs — where this verb's pattern is listed.
- Atraer conjugation — another -er verb to compare with satisfacer.
- Rehacer conjugation — another -er verb to compare with satisfacer.
- Contraer conjugation — another -er verb to compare with satisfacer.
- Spanish Verb Conjugator — conjugate any Spanish verb in every tense.
- Spanish Verb Quiz — test yourself on real conjugated forms.