/deskɾiˈβiɾ/
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to describe
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Word origin
From Latin describere ('to write down, copy off'), from de ('down') plus scribere ('to write'). The irregular past participle descrito mirrors escrito from escribir.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- describere
- English cognates
- describe, scribe
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular spanish-stem-changing conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..
Indicative
| Person | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | describo | describí | describía | describiré | describiría |
| tú | describes | describiste | describías | describirás | describirías |
| él/ella/ud. | describe | describió | describía | describirá | describiría |
| nos. | describimos | describimos | describíamos | describiremos | describiríamos |
| vos. | describís | describisteis | describíais | describiréis | describiríais |
| ellos/uds. | describen | describieron | describían | describirán | describirían |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect (-ra) | Imperfect (-se) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | describa | describiera | describiese |
| tú | describas | describieras | describieses |
| él/ella/ud. | describa | describiera | describiese |
| nos. | describamos | describiéramos | describiésemos |
| vos. | describáis | describierais | describieseis |
| ellos/uds. | describan | describieran | describiesen |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tú | describe |
| ud. | describa |
| nosotros | describamos |
| vosotros | describid |
| uds. | describan |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- describiendo
- Past participle
- descrito
Examples
¿ ?
Can you describe the man you saw?
.
The author describes the landscape in great detail.
.
I find it hard to describe what I felt at that moment.
.
The witness described the car to the police.
.
In his letter he describes the city where he now lives.
Where this fits
Used in
Grammar articles
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describir: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "describir" (to describe): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 30, lesson 2: describir, ballena, agosto and 7 more words.