Simplificar Conjugation in Spanish

The Spanish verb simplificar means to simplify, and it is a verb you will use again and again once you know it. Simplificar means to simplify, and it covers simplifying a process for customers, simplifying the rules of a game and simplifying an explanation with an example. It is the opposite of complicar, and it is a spelling-change verb: the c becomes qu before e. Like every Spanish verb, simplificar 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 simplifico el proceso para los clientes, and in the preterite you say simplifiqué la explicación con un ejemplo. 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: simplificar
  • English: to simplify
  • Verb type: irregular verb
  • Ending: -ar
  • Gerund: simplificando
  • Past participle: simplificado
  • Auxiliary verb: haber (all perfect tenses are formed with haber + simplificado)

Pronunciation is not listed on this page: the verified tables do not include IPA for simplificar, so no pronunciation is given rather than an invented one. Spelling change: c becomes qu before e, so the preterite is simplifiqué and the subjunctive is simplifique, never simplificé.

Full conjugation tables

Every form below comes from the verified conjugation tables for simplificar. 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 simplifico
tú simplificas
él/ella/Ud. simplifica
nosotros/as simplificamos
vosotros/as simplificáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplifican

Preterite

Person Form
yo simplifiqué
tú simplificaste
él/ella/Ud. simplificó
nosotros/as simplificamos
vosotros/as simplificasteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplificaron

Imperfect

Person Form
yo simplificaba
tú simplificabas
él/ella/Ud. simplificaba
nosotros/as simplificábamos
vosotros/as simplificabais
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplificaban

Future

Person Form
yo simplificaré
tú simplificarás
él/ella/Ud. simplificará
nosotros/as simplificaremos
vosotros/as simplificaréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplificarán

Conditional

Person Form
yo simplificaría
tú simplificarías
él/ella/Ud. simplificaría
nosotros/as simplificaríamos
vosotros/as simplificaríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplificarían

Present perfect

Person Form
yo he simplificado
tú has simplificado
él/ella/Ud. ha simplificado
nosotros/as hemos simplificado
vosotros/as habéis simplificado
ellos/ellas/Uds. han simplificado

Pluperfect

Person Form
yo había simplificado
tú habías simplificado
él/ella/Ud. había simplificado
nosotros/as habíamos simplificado
vosotros/as habíais simplificado
ellos/ellas/Uds. habían simplificado

Future perfect

Person Form
yo habré simplificado
tú habrás simplificado
él/ella/Ud. habrá simplificado
nosotros/as habremos simplificado
vosotros/as habréis simplificado
ellos/ellas/Uds. habrán simplificado

Conditional perfect

Person Form
yo habría simplificado
tú habrías simplificado
él/ella/Ud. habría simplificado
nosotros/as habríamos simplificado
vosotros/as habríais simplificado
ellos/ellas/Uds. habrían simplificado

Present subjunctive

Person Form
yo simplifique
tú simplifiques
él/ella/Ud. simplifique
nosotros/as simplifiquemos
vosotros/as simplifiquéis
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplifiquen

Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)

Person Form
yo simplificara
tú simplificaras
él/ella/Ud. simplificara
nosotros/as simplificáramos
vosotros/as simplificarais
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplificaran

Imperative (affirmative)

Person Form
tú simplifica
él/ella/Ud. simplifique
nosotros/as simplifiquemos
vosotros/as simplificad
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplifiquen

Imperative (negative)

Person Form
tú simplifiques
él/ella/Ud. simplifique
nosotros/as simplifiquemos
vosotros/as simplifiquéis
ellos/ellas/Uds. simplifiquen

Gerund and past participle

Form Spanish Use
Gerund simplificando with estar for the progressive: estoy simplificando
Past participle simplificado with haber for the perfect tenses: he simplificado

How to use each tense

Present indicative

Use the present for routines, general facts and what is happening right now. Note the spelling change here: c becomes qu before e, so the forms keep the same sound as the infinitive. For simplificar, the present looks like this in a real sentence: Simplifico el proceso para 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. Note the spelling change in the first person: c becomes qu before e, so the preterite first person is simplifiqué. For simplificar, the preterite looks like this in a real sentence: Ayer, simplifiqué las reglas del juego. 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 simplificar, the imperfect looks like this in a real sentence: De niño, simplificaba la explicación con un ejemplo. 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. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For simplificar, the future looks like this in a real sentence: Mañana, simplificaré la tarea en tres pasos. 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. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For simplificar, the conditional looks like this in a real sentence: Simplificaría el proceso para 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. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For simplificar, the present perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Hoy, he simplificado las reglas del juego. 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. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For simplificar, the pluperfect looks like this in a real sentence: Había simplificado la explicación con un ejemplo 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. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For simplificar, the future perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Para mañana, habré simplificado la tarea en tres pasos. 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. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For simplificar, the conditional perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Habría simplificado el proceso para 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. Note the spelling change here: c becomes qu before e, so the forms keep the same sound as the infinitive. For simplificar, the present subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Espero que él simplifique las reglas del juego. 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. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For simplificar, the imperfect subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Si él simplificara la explicación con un ejemplo, 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. Note the spelling change here: c becomes qu before e, so the forms keep the same sound as the infinitive. For simplificar, the affirmative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: ¡Simplifica la tarea en tres pasos! 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. Note the spelling change here: c becomes qu before e, so the forms keep the same sound as the infinitive. For simplificar, the negative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: No simplifiques el proceso para 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 simplificar, covering different tenses and persons. Each one uses a form from the tables above.

  1. Simplifico el proceso para los clientes. — I simplify the process for the customers.
  2. Simplifica las reglas del juego. — He/she simplifies the rules of the game.
  3. Ayer, simplifiqué la explicación con un ejemplo. — Yesterday, I simplified the explanation with an example.
  4. Antes, nosotros simplificábamos la tarea en tres pasos. — Before, we used to simplify the task in three steps.
  5. Mañana, tú simplificarás el proceso para los clientes. — Tomorrow, you will simplify the process for the customers.
  6. Yo simplificaría las reglas del juego si tuviera más tiempo. — I would simplify the rules of the game if I had more time.
  7. Él ha simplificado la explicación con un ejemplo. — He has simplified the explanation with an example.
  8. Espero que él simplifique la tarea en tres pasos. — I hope he simplifies the task in three steps.
  9. Yo ya había simplificado el proceso para los clientes antes de salir. — I had already simplified the process for the customers before leaving.
  10. Ellos simplificaban las reglas del juego cuando eran jóvenes. — They used to simplify the rules of the game when they were young.

Common mistakes

  1. Wrong: Yo simplifica el proceso para los clientes. — Right: Yo simplifico el proceso para los clientes. — The person matters: simplifica is the él/ella/Ud. form, while the yo form is simplifico. Using the third-person form with yo is one of the most common beginner errors.
  2. Wrong: Yo simplificé las reglas del juego. — Right: Yo simplifiqué las reglas del juego. — In the preterite, the correct first-person form is simplifiqué, not simplificé. simplificar is a spelling-change verb: c becomes qu before e, so the written form changes to keep the same sound. The regular-looking form is wrong.
  3. Wrong: Treating simplificar and complicar as identical in every context. — Right: Simplificar means to simplify, while complicar means to complicate, its opposite. — They overlap, but each has uses the other does not: simplificar fits sentences such as Simplifico el proceso para los clientes, while complicar belongs in a different sentence. Check the meaning you want before choosing.
  4. Wrong: Yo soy simplificado las reglas del juego. — Right: Yo he simplificado las reglas del juego. — Spanish perfect tenses use haber, not ser: he simplificado, has simplificado, ha simplificado. Ser plus the participle makes a passive, not a perfect tense.
  5. Wrong: De niño, yo simplifiqué la explicación con un ejemplo todos los días. — Right: De niño, yo simplificaba la explicación con un ejemplo todos los días. — For a repeated habit in the past, use the imperfect (simplificaba), not the preterite. The preterite (simplifiqué) is for one finished action.

Quiz: test yourself

Ten questions on simplificar. Choose the right form, then check the answer key below.

  1. Complete the sentence: Yo ___ el proceso para los clientes. (present tense) A. simplifico B. simplificas C. simplifica D. simplificamos

  2. Complete the sentence: Ayer, él ___ las reglas del juego. (preterite) A. simplifiqué B. simplificaste C. simplificaron D. simplificó

  3. Complete the sentence: Antes, nosotros ___ la explicación con un ejemplo. (imperfect) A. simplificabas B. simplificaban C. simplificábamos D. simplificaba

  4. Complete the sentence: Mañana, tú ___ la tarea en tres pasos. (future) A. simplificaremos B. simplificarás C. simplificaré D. simplificará

  5. Complete the sentence: Yo ___ el proceso para los clientes si pudiera. (conditional) A. simplificaría B. simplificarías C. simplificarían D. simplifico

  6. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ las reglas del juego. (present subjunctive) A. simplifiques B. simplifiquemos C. simplifico D. simplifique

  7. Complete the sentence: Si yo ___ la explicación con un ejemplo, todo cambiaría. (imperfect subjunctive, -ra form) A. simplificáramos B. simplifico C. simplificara D. simplificaras

  8. Complete the sentence: Nosotros ___ la tarea en tres pasos. (present perfect) A. han simplificado B. hemos simplificado C. he simplificado D. has simplificado

  9. Complete the command: ¡___ el proceso para los clientes! (affirmative imperative, tú) A. simplifica B. simplifique C. simplifiquemos D. simplificad

  10. Which is the gerund of simplificar, used with estar for the progressive? A. simplificado B. simplifico C. simplifiqué D. simplificando

Answer key

  1. simplifico — The first-person present of simplificar is simplifico. The other options are the tú, él/ella and nosotros forms.
  2. simplificó — The third-person preterite of simplificar is simplificó, the form for a single finished action in the past.
  3. simplificábamos — The nosotros imperfect of simplificar is simplificábamos, used here for a repeated past habit.
  4. simplificarás — The second-person future of simplificar is simplificarás.
  5. simplificaría — The first-person conditional of simplificar is simplificaría, the form for what would happen.
  6. simplifique — After espero que, the subjunctive is required: the third-person present subjunctive of simplificar is simplifique.
  7. simplificara — The first-person imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of simplificar is simplificara.
  8. hemos simplificado — The nosotros present perfect of simplificar is hemos simplificado: hemos + simplificado.
  9. simplifica — The affirmative tú imperative of simplificar is simplifica.
  10. simplificando — The gerund of simplificar is simplificando: estoy simplificando. The participle simplificado is used with haber instead.

Frequently asked questions

What does simplificar mean in English?

Simplificar means to simplify. It is used in everyday situations such as Simplifico el proceso para los clientes. The exact English wording depends on the context, but the core meaning stays the same across the tenses.

Is simplificar regular or irregular?

Simplificar is a fully regular -ar verb, so every tense follows the standard endings for its class. Once you know the regular pattern, you can produce every form on this page, including simplifico in the present and simplifiqué in the preterite.

What is the difference between simplificar and complicar?

Simplificar means to simplify, while complicar means to complicate, its opposite. They are easy to confuse because they appear in similar situations, but they are not interchangeable: use simplificar when you mean to simplify, as in Simplifico el proceso para los clientes, and use complicar for to complicate, its opposite. When in doubt, check the object of the sentence — it usually shows which verb fits.

How do I say “I simplify” in the past?

It depends on the kind of past. For one finished action, use the preterite: yo simplifiqué las reglas del juego. For a repeated habit or background in the past, use the imperfect: yo simplificaba la explicación con un ejemplo. For something that has just happened, use the present perfect: yo he simplificado las reglas del juego.

How do I practise simplificar?

Start with the present tense table, then drill the preterite and the imperfect, since those two past tenses cause the most mistakes. Try the simplificar examples and quiz page for more sentences, and use the Spanish Verb Quiz to test the forms under pressure.

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