Abrir Conjugation in Spanish

Overview

The verb “abrir” in Spanish means “to open”. Classified as an irregular verb, it is one of the 100 most frequently used verbs in Spanish. Below, we explore its conjugation across 18 key tenses.

Present Tense Conjugation of Abrir

The Present tense of “abrir” is used to describe an action that is happening now or a general truth.

Examples using Present Tense:

1. Siempre abro las ventanas por la mañana.
2. Marta abre la tienda a las nueve.
3. Mis amigos abren sus corazones en las reuniones.

Past Simple Tense of Abrir

In the Past Simple tense of “abrir”, we describe actions that were completed in the past.

Examples using Past Simple Tense:

1. Ayer abrí mi primer negocio.
2. Ella abrió la puerta lentamente.
3. Ellos abrieron un nuevo restaurante en el centro.

Future Tense of Abrir

Future tense for “abrir” indicates an action that will occur at a later time.

Examples using Future Tense:

1. Mañana abriré la tienda a las ocho.
2. Abrirás un regalo muy especial.
3. Ellos abrirán una nueva sucursal el próximo año.

Using “Abrir” in the Simple Present

The Simple Present tense for “abrir” is utilized to express a variety of actions or conditions that occur frequently, are ongoing, or are general truths. This conjugation helps in providing statements or habitual actions. Take for instance, “abro la ventana”, which translates to “I open the window”.

In Spanish, the Simple Present is referred to as “El Presente”.

Examples:

• Siempre abro el libro antes de dormir. (I always open the book before sleeping.)
• Ellos abren la tienda a las nueve de la mañana. (They open the store at nine in the morning.)
• ¿Tú abres la puerta por favor? (Can you open the door, please?)

Abrir with the Past Simple Tense

The Past Simple Tense in Spanish, known as “El Pretérito Indefinido”, is used to describe actions that have been completed in the past at a definite time. For instance, “abrí la ventana”, which translates to “I opened the window”.

Examples:

1. Ayer, Marta y yo abrimos una nueva tienda.
2. El técnico abrió la caja para repararla.
3. Vosotros abristeis los regalos muy temprano.

Use of Abrir in the Indicative Imperfect Tense

The Indicative Imperfect tense in Spanish, also known as “El Pretérito Imperfecto,” is employed to talk about habitual or continuous actions in the past. This tense is perfect for setting scenes and describing past actions without specifying precisely when they began or ended. For instance, “abría la puerta” translates to “I used to open the door.”

Examples:

1. Cuando era niña, siempre abría mis regalos de cumpleaños con entusiasmo.
2. Mis abuelos abrían las ventanas de su casa cada mañana para dejar entrar el aire fresco.
3. En verano, todos los días abríamos el campamento con una canción.

Ongoing Action: Present Continuous for “Abrir”

The Present Continuous tense is used for expressing actions that are currently in progress. In Spanish, this tense is often called “El Presente Progresivo”. For verbs like “abrir”, it is utilized to describe actions happening at this exact moment. Let’s explore how “abrir” (to open) is conjugated in the Present Continuous tense.

Examples:

1. Estoy abriendo el correo ahora mismo.
2. Ella está abriendo un nuevo capítulo en su vida.
3. Estamos abriendo las ventanas para ventilar la casa.

Informal Future Tense of “Abrir” in the Indicative Mood

The Informal Future Tense in the indicative mood for “abrir” is utilized to describe actions that are planned to occur soon. This is particularly used for upcoming activities. Here is how you can express the idea of opening something shortly, such as “voy a abrir la puerta”, translating to “I am going to open the door”.

Here is how “El Futuro Próximo” appears in Spanish:

Examples in Spanish

1. “Mañana voy a abrir el gimnasio temprano.”
2. “¿Vas a abrir el restaurante este mediodía?”
3. “Ellos van a abrir una nueva tienda en el centro.”

Future Form of “Abrir” in Spanish

In Spanish, we use the Simple Future tense to express actions that will occur in the time ahead. For instance, “abriré la puerta” translates to “I will open the door”.

The technical term for this tense in Spanish is “El Futuro Simple”.

Examples:

1. Mañana abriré una nueva cuenta en el banco.
2. ¿Cuándo abrirás tus regalos de cumpleaños?
3. Ellos abrirán el nuevo restaurante la próxima semana.

The Use of Abrir in the Conditional Mood

In the Conditional Mood, “abrir” is used to discuss potential actions or events, expressing possibilities, wishes, or hypothetical situations. For example: “abriría la puerta” translates to “I would open the door.”

In Spanish, the Conditional Mood is known as “El Condicional Simple.”

Examples:

1. Si tuviera tiempo, abriría una tienda en mi barrio.
2. ¿Pensabas que abrirían el museo durante la noche?
3. Abriríamos las ventanas si no hiciera tanto frío.

Abrir in the Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect tense of “abrir” is used to discuss events or actions that have been completed in the recent past yet still hold relevance to the present. It’s great for talking about tasks you’ve finished or things that have happened lately. An example is “he abierto la puerta,” which translates to “I have opened the door.”

In Spanish, the Present Perfect tense is referred to as “El Pretérito Perfecto.”

Example Sentences:

1. Yo he abierto una nueva cuenta de banco.
2. ¿Tú has abierto la ventana en la habitación?
3. Ellos han abierto una tienda de deportes en el centro.

Abrir in the Indicative Past Perfect

The Indicative Past Perfect, also referred to as the Pluperfect, is used to express actions that were completed before another action in the past. For instance, “había abierto la puerta” translates to “I had opened the door.”

In Spanish, this tense is known as “El Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto.”

Example Sentences

1. Cuando llegué, ya había abierto la tienda.
2. Ellos habían abierto el libro antes de la clase.
3. Habíamos abierto las ventanas antes de la tormenta.

Future Perfect Tense of “Abrir”

The Future Perfect tense in Spanish is employed to express actions that will have been completed at a specific point in the future. It indicates that the action of opening will be completed before another future time or event occurs. For example, “habré abierto las ventanas” translates to “I will have opened the windows.”

In Spanish grammar, the Future Perfect tense is referred to as “El Futuro Perfecto.”

Example Sentences:

1. Para las tres, habré abierto la tienda.
2. Cuando lleguen, ya habrás abierto los regalos.
3. Ella habrá abierto el libro antes de la reunión.

Abrir in the Indicative Conditional Perfect Tense

The Indicative Conditional Perfect tense for the verb “abrir” is used when discussing actions that were expected to take place under certain conditions in the past, but ultimately did not occur. This tense is ideal for expressing hypothetical scenarios that were never realized. Here are three examples in Spanish using this tense: “Si hubieras llamado, habría abierto la puerta,” “Habría abierto la tienda, pero se fue la luz,” and “Si hubiéramos tenido tiempo, habríamos abierto todos los regalos.”

In Spanish, the Indicative Conditional Perfect is referred to as “El Condicional Perfecto.”

Subjunctive Forms of Abrir

Introduction to “Abrir” in the Subjunctive Present

The Present Subjunctive in Spanish is used to express various states of emotion such as desire, potentiality, and doubt about a particular action. Unlike the indicative mood, it is characterized by its association with uncertainty or non-reality. For a verb like “abrir,” which means “to open,” the conjugation in this subjunctive mood takes on a new form when expressing these states. Here are three examples: “Espero que tú abras la puerta,” “Es importante que nosotros abramos el libro,” and “Dudo que ellos abran sus mentes.”

In Spanish, the Present Subjunctive is also referred to as “El Presente de Subjuntivo.”

Understanding “Abrir” in the Subjunctive Imperfect

The Subjunctive Imperfect is used when referring to past events that are hypothetical or uncertain, or to express feelings or opinions about situations that occurred in the past. This tense allows the speaker to convey doubt, wishfulness, or emotions regarding past actions. For instance, “abriera” translates to “I opened” in English.

In Spanish, this tense is called “El Imperfecto Subjuntivo.”

Example Sentences:

1. Deseaba que tú abrieras la puerta antes de salir.
2. Si él abriera la ventana, entrarían más luz y aire fresco.
3. Era importante que ustedes abrieran el sobre con cuidado.

Exploring the Subjunctive Future for “Abrir” in Spanish

The Future Subjunctive tense is rarely used in modern Spanish but can be found in legal documents or literature. It expresses actions that might occur in the future under hypothetical or uncertain conditions.

Examples:

1. Si yo abriere la puerta, ¿quién entrará primero?
2. Es posible que tú abrieres el camino al éxito.
3. Cuando María abriere el restaurante, todos querrán visitarlo.

Present Perfect Subjunctive Conjugation of “Abrir”

The Present Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish is used to indicate actions that are connected to the present or to discuss actions that might have occurred by a certain future moment. The equivalent in English uses phrases like “I have opened.” In Spanish, this tense is called “El Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo.”

Examples in Spanish:

1. Espero que ella haya abierto la ventana.
2. Es posible que ellos hayan abierto el parque más temprano.
3. Dudo que tú hayas abierto el libro todavía.

Abrir in Subjunctive Past Perfect

The Subjunctive Past Perfect, also called “El Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo” in Spanish, is utilized to discuss hypothetical scenarios that happened before other events in the past. For instance, “hubiera abierto” translates to “I had opened.”

Examples:

• Si hubiera abierto la puerta, habría visto lo que pasó.
• Me hubiera gustado que tú hubieras abierto la carta.
• Dudo que el equipo hubiera abierto el archivo a tiempo.

Subjunctive Future Perfect for “Abrir”

The Subjunctive Future Perfect tense is applied to discuss actions that are expected to have occurred contingent on future conditions. For example, “hubiere abierto” translates to “I will have opened.”

In Spanish, this conjugation is referred to as “El Futuro Perfecto de Subjuntivo.”

Spanish Usage Examples:

1. Si llegamos a tiempo el próximo lunes, ya hubiere abierto la tienda.
2. Cuando tú hubieres abierto el libro, comenzaremos la lectura.
3. Para el año 2050, una nueva esperanza hubiere abierto para la humanidad.

Command Form Conjugations of “Abrir”

Giving Commands: The Imperative Affirmative of “Abrir”

The Imperative Affirmative tense in Spanish is employed to issue orders or instructions. It’s the form you use when you want someone to do something immediately. Let’s explore how “abrir,” meaning “to open,” is conjugated in this form.

Here are some examples:

1. “Abre la ventana, por favor.” (Open the window, please.)
2. “Abramos el libro para empezar la lección.” (Let’s open the book to start the lesson.)
3. “Abran los regalos juntos.” (Open the presents together.)

”Abrir” in the Negative Command Form

The Imperative Negative mood is used when you need to instruct someone not to perform a certain action. It’s like saying “don’t do this” in English. For example, saying “no abra!” in Spanish is equivalent to telling someone formally “don’t open!“.

In Spanish, this form is called “El Imperativo Negativo”.

Examples of Usage in Context

• No abras la puerta sin preguntar quién es. (Don’t open the door without asking who it is.)
• No abráis el regalo todavía, esperad a todos. (Don’t open the gift yet, wait for everyone.)
• No abramos la ventana, hace demasiado frío. (Let’s not open the window, it’s too cold.)