-ir verb irregular · spelling-change -cer/cir B1 · Intermediate

Conjugate distinguir in Spanish

to distinguish

distinguir is an irregular -ir verb ranked #457 among the most common Spanish verbs. For example: "Necesito distinguir esto." (I need to distinguish this.). Use the tables below for full conjugation across all 7 tenses.

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⚡ Irregular verb — distinguir (spelling-change -cer/cir) does not follow standard -ir patterns. Pay close attention to the stems in each tense.

Describes current actions, habits, and general truths. The most frequently used tense — master it first.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo distingo *
distingues
él/ella/Ud. distingue
nosotros distinguimos
vosotros distinguís
ellos/ellas/Uds. distinguen
Example

Yo distingo todos los días.

I distinguish every day.

Describes completed past actions with a clear start and end. Key signals: ayer, el lunes pasado, de repente.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo distinguí
distinguiste
él/ella/Ud. distinguió
nosotros distinguimos
vosotros distinguisteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. distinguieron
Example

Ayer yo distinguí.

Yesterday I distinguish.

Describes habitual past actions, background context, and ongoing states. Key signals: siempre, normalmente, cuando era niño.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo distinguía
distinguías
él/ella/Ud. distinguía
nosotros distinguíamos
vosotros distinguíais
ellos/ellas/Uds. distinguían
Example

Antes yo distinguía con frecuencia.

Before, I used to distinguish often.

Describes future events and predictions. In everyday speech, ir a + infinitive is often preferred for planned events.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo distinguiré
distinguirás
él/ella/Ud. distinguirá
nosotros distinguiremos
vosotros distinguiréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. distinguirán
Example

Mañana yo distinguiré.

Tomorrow I will distinguish.

Expresses what would happen under certain conditions — equivalent to "would" in English. Also used for polite requests.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo distinguiría
distinguirías
él/ella/Ud. distinguiría
nosotros distinguiríamos
vosotros distinguiríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. distinguirían
Example

Si pudiera, yo distinguiría.

If I could, I would distinguish.

Used in clauses expressing wishes, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty — typically after que. Triggers: querer, esperar, dudar, ojalá.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo distinga *
distingas *
él/ella/Ud. distinga *
nosotros distingamos *
vosotros distingáis *
ellos/ellas/Uds. distingan *
Example

Espero que tú distingas.

I hope that you distinguish.

Used to give commands and direct requests. Affirmative and negative forms differ significantly in Spanish.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo -
distingue
él/ella/Ud. distingua
nosotros distinguamos
vosotros distinguid
ellos/ellas/Uds. distinguan
Example

¡Distingue!

Distinguish!

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Example sentences

Common phrases with distinguir

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