Usage
Dar is primarily used to indicate the action of giving something, whether it be a physical object, a favor, or an abstract concept. It can also be used in expressions involving time, feelings, or sensations. Dar is rarely used with a direct object pronoun; instead, it typically takes an indirect object pronoun to indicate to whom something is given.
Examples:
- Le doy un regalo. (I give him/her a gift.)
- Nos dan la información mañana. (They give us the information tomorrow.)
- Me da miedo. (It frightens me.)
- ¿Cuánto tiempo da el programa? (How much time does the program allow?)
Conjugation Patterns
Dar is irregular in several tenses and moods. Below are its full conjugations in the most commonly used forms.
Indicative
| Tense | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | yo doy | I give |
| Preterite | yo di | I gave |
| Imperfect | yo daba | I used to give |
| Future | yo daré | I will give |
| Conditional | yo daría | I would give |
Subjunctive
| Tense | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | yo dé | I give (subjunctive) |
| Imperfect | yo diera / diese | I gave (subjunctive) |
| Future | yo diere | I give (subjunctive future) |
\* Future subjunctive is rare and mostly literary.
Imperative
| Form | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| tú | da | give (you) |
| usted | dé | give (formal you) |
| nosotros | demos | let’s give |
| vosotros | dad | give (you all) |
| ustedes | den | give (you all formal) |
Other Forms
| Form | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | dando | giving |
| Past Participle | dado | given |
Compound Tenses (using “haber” + past participle)
| Tense | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect | he dado | I have given |
| Pluperfect | había dado | I had given |
| Future Perfect | habré dado | I will have given |
| Conditional Perfect | habría dado | I would have given |
| Present Perfect Subjunctive | haya dado | I have given (subjunctive) |
| Past Perfect Subjunctive | hubiera dado | I had given (subjunctive) |
Common Expressions
Dar appears in many fixed expressions and idioms. Some common ones include:
- dar la hora — to give the time (tell the time)
- dar un paseo — to take a walk
- dar un salto — to jump
- dar un regalo — to give a gift
- dar miedo — to be scary
- dar igual — to not matter
- dar ganas de — to feel like (doing something)
- dar por sentado — to take for granted
- dar ejemplo — to set an example
- dar vida — to bring to life
Does it matter to you? — ¿Te ___ igual?
da
"Da igual" means "it doesn’t matter."
Summary
Dar is a frequently used Spanish verb meaning “to give.” It is irregular in several key forms, especially in the present indicative (“doy”) and the subjunctive/imperative (“dé”). It takes indirect objects (e.g., “le doy”) to indicate to whom something is given. It also appears in many idiomatic expressions.
How do you indicate "to whom" something is given when using dar?
Use an indirect object pronoun (le, nos, me, etc.)
Indirect object pronouns always show the recipient in dar constructions.
Flashcards (1 of 21)
- Tense: Present
- English Example: I give
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
