Spanish · Everyday Verbs

"to explain" in Spanish: explicar

explicar

Say it: ehks-plee-KAHR / ehks-PLEE-kah-mehverb/eks.pli.ˈkaɾ/

To explain in Spanish is explicar. Say me explicas and explícame. Use it in class, apps, and directions.

Class

¿Me explicas otra vez la tarea?
Will you explain the homework to me again?
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How to pronounce explicar

Say it

ehks-plee-KAHR / ehks-PLEE-kah-meh

/eks.pli.ˈkaɾ/

ehks-plee-KAHR. Explícame is ehks-PLEE-kah-meh. Stress PLEE.

"to explain" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
explicarto explain

Infinitive.

me explicasyou explain to me

Informal ask.

explícameexplain to me

Command.

te explicoI'll explain to you

Offer help.

¿me puede explicar?can you explain to me?

Polite/formal.

How to use explicar in real life

  1. 1Class

    ¿Me explicas otra vez la tarea?

    Will you explain the homework to me again?

    Me explicas.

  2. 2Help

    Te explico el camino en el mapa.

    I'll explain the route on the map.

    Te explico.

  3. 3App

    Explícame cómo funciona esta app.

    Explain to me how this app works.

    Explícame command.

Mistakes English speakers make with explicar

Incorrect: Explica me la app.

Correct: Explícame la app.

Attach me: explícame, not explica me.

Incorrect: Yo explain la regla.

Correct: Te explico la regla. / Voy a explicar la regla.

Use explicar / explico, not English explain.

Good to know

¿Me puedes explicar…? is polite with strangers. Explícame is fine with friends. Keep explicar short and clear.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Stuck on a homework problem

  1. ChatPal

    ¿Te explico el primer ejercicio?

    Shall I explain the first exercise to you?

  2. You

    Sí. Explícame despacio, por favor.

    Yes. Explain it to me slowly, please.

  3. ChatPal

    Claro. Te explico con un ejemplo.

    Sure. I'll explain with an example.

  4. You

    Ahora lo entiendo.

    Now I understand it.

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"to explain" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "to explain" in Spanish

How do I say explain to me?

Explícame / ¿me explicas?

I'll explain to you?

Te explico.

Polite form?

¿Me puede explicar…?

How do you pronounce explícame?

ehks-PLEE-kah-meh, stress on PLEE.

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