-ar verb A2 · Elementary

Conjugate operar in Spanish

to operate

operar is a regular -ar verb ranked #153 among the most common Spanish verbs. For example: "Yo opero todos los días." (I operate every day.). Use the tables below for full conjugation across all 7 tenses.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo opero
operas
él/ella/Ud. opera
nosotros operamos
vosotros operáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. operan
Example

Yo opero todos los días.

I operate every day.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo operé
operaste
él/ella/Ud. operó
nosotros operamos
vosotros operasteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. operaron
Example

Nosotros operamos juntos.

We operate together.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo operaba
operabas
él/ella/Ud. operaba
nosotros operábamos
vosotros operabais
ellos/ellas/Uds. operaban
Example

Antes yo operaba con frecuencia.

Before, I used to operate often.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo operaré
operarás
él/ella/Ud. operará
nosotros operaremos
vosotros operaréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. operarán
Example

Mañana yo operaré.

Tomorrow I will operate.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo operaría
operarías
él/ella/Ud. operaría
nosotros operaríamos
vosotros operaríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. operarían
Example

Si pudiera, yo operaría.

If I could, I would operate.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo opere
operes
él/ella/Ud. opere
nosotros operemos
vosotros operéis
ellos/ellas/Uds. operen
Example

Quiero que tú operes más.

I want you to operate more.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo -
opera
él/ella/Ud. opere
nosotros operemos
vosotros operad
ellos/ellas/Uds. operen
Example

Él opera con frecuencia.

He operates often.

Test yourself

Type the correct conjugation for each prompt.

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Example sentences

Common phrases with operar

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