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

TenseSpanish ExampleEnglish Example
Presentyo doyI give
Preteriteyo diI gave
Imperfectyo dabaI used to give
Futureyo daréI will give
Conditionalyo daríaI would give

Subjunctive

TenseSpanish ExampleEnglish Example
Presentyo déI give (subjunctive)
Imperfectyo diera / dieseI gave (subjunctive)
Futureyo diereI give (subjunctive future)
\* Future subjunctive is rare and mostly literary.

Imperative

FormSpanish ExampleEnglish Example
dagive (you)
ustedgive (formal you)
nosotrosdemoslet’s give
vosotrosdadgive (you all)
ustedesdengive (you all formal)

Other Forms

FormSpanish ExampleEnglish Example
Gerunddandogiving
Past Participledadogiven

Compound Tenses (using “haber” + past participle)

TenseSpanish ExampleEnglish Example
Present Perfecthe dadoI have given
Pluperfecthabía dadoI had given
Future Perfecthabré dadoI will have given
Conditional Perfecthabría dadoI would have given
Present Perfect Subjunctivehaya dadoI have given (subjunctive)
Past Perfect Subjunctivehubiera dadoI 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

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