construir is a Spanish verb that means "to build." It is used to describe the action of constructing or assembling something, whether physical structures like buildings and bridges or more abstract concepts like ideas and relationships. Construir is a regular verb in the -ir family for most tenses but has a stem change (u → uy) in some forms, making it semi-regular.
- Meaning: to build, construct, assemble (both literal and figurative)
- Root: construir (from Latin construere)
- Verb type: -ir, semi-regular (u → uy in some forms)
- Common uses: buildings, infrastructure, relationships, arguments, ideas
Construir means 'to build' in Spanish.
Construir can be used for building physical structures as well as developing relationships and creating arguments.
Infinitive, Root, and Meaning
- Infinitive: construir
- Root: constru-
- Meaning: to build (literal: structures; figurative: relationships, ideas)
Regular and Irregular Features
construir is mostly regular in its -ir conjugations but shows a spelling change to maintain pronunciation:
- In the present tense (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, ellos), it becomes construyo, construyes, construye, construyen (not constru...u...r).
- In the preterite, it follows a regular -ir pattern: construí, construiste, construyó, construimos, construyeron (note the "y" for él/ella/usted and ellos/ellas/ustedes).
Present Indicative
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Yo | construyo |
| Tú | construyes |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | construye |
| Nosotros | construimos |
| Vosotros | construís |
| Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | construyen |
- Stem changes to construy- for most forms except nosotros/vosotros.
Preterite Indicative
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Yo | construí |
| Tú | construiste |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | construyó |
| Nosotros | construimos |
| Vosotros | construisteis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | construyeron |
- Uses a "y" in él/ella/usted and ellos/ellas/ustedes forms for correct spelling and sound.
Summary
- construir means "to build" and can be used for physical and abstract construction.
- It's an -ir verb with a spelling/stem change: construy- in present and preterite (some forms).
- Regular -ir endings apply, with "y" inserted for certain subjects in some tenses.
The stem changes to 'construy-' in the present tense for most forms.
They build = Construyen.
Correct forms are construí, construyó, construyeron.
Final Note
Construir is essential for expressing creation and development in both tangible and intangible forms, making it a versatile verb in Spanish communication.
- Infinitive: construir (= to build)
- Use for both physical and abstract "building"
- Semi-regular: stem changes to "construy-" in key forms