Non-finite forms
Infinitivo and Gerundio
| Form | Spanish | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Infinitivo | distinguir | Dictionary form and base form for many compound structures. |
| Gerundio | distinguyendo | Used with estar for progressive forms, for example estar distinguyendo. |
Spanish verb conjugation
Distinguir conjugation
distinguir is a regular Spanish -IR verb meaning distinguish. In the present tense: yo distingo, tú distingues, él/ella distingue, nosotros distinguimos, vosotros distinguís, ellos distinguen. Full conjugation across 18 tenses below.
Rank #217-IRRegular18 tense tables
At a glance
- Infinitive
- distinguir
- Gerundio
- distinguyendo
- Meaning
- distinguish
- Pattern
- Regular
- Difficulty
- Level 2
Conjugation tables
Study tense
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Distinguir across the MuyVerbs tense system
Study present continuous
Presente
Present
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | distingo | Yo distingo tu voz entre todas.I distinguish your voice among all the others. |
| tú | distingues | Tú distingues lo importante muy rápido.You distinguish what is important very quickly. |
| él | distingue | Él distingue bien los colores.He distinguishes colors well. |
| nosotros | distinguimos | Nosotros distinguimos los detalles pequeños.We distinguish the small details. |
| vosotros | distinguís | Vosotros distinguís verdad y mentira.You distinguish truth and lies. |
| ellos | distinguen | Ellos distinguen las señales desde lejos.They distinguish the signs from far away. |
Pretérito Perfecto
Present Perfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | he distinguido | Yo he distinguido tu voz hoy.I have distinguished your voice today. |
| tú | has distinguido | Tú has distinguido lo importante ya.You have distinguished what is important already. |
| él | ha distinguido | Él ha distinguido bien los colores.He has distinguished the colors well. |
| nosotros | hemos distinguido | Nosotros hemos distinguido los detalles pequeños.We have distinguished the small details. |
| vosotros | habéis distinguido | Vosotros habéis distinguido verdad y mentira.You have distinguished truth and lies. |
| ellos | han distinguido | Ellos han distinguido las señales ya.They have distinguished the signs already. |
Pretérito Indefinido
Preterite
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | distinguí | Ayer yo distinguí tu voz enseguida.Yesterday I distinguished your voice right away. |
| tú | distinguiste | Tú distinguiste lo importante al final.You distinguished what is important in the end. |
| él | distinguió | Él distinguió bien los colores en la prueba.He distinguished the colors well in the test. |
| nosotros | distinguimos | Nosotros distinguimos los detalles pequeños.We distinguished the small details. |
| vosotros | distinguisteis | Vosotros distinguisteis verdad y mentira sin problema.You distinguished truth and lies without a problem. |
| ellos | distinguieron | Ellos distinguieron las señales desde lejos.They distinguished the signs from far away. |
Pretérito Imperfecto
Imperfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | distinguía | Yo distinguía tu voz siempre.I used to distinguish your voice always. |
| tú | distinguías | Tú distinguías lo importante con facilidad.You used to distinguish what is important easily. |
| él | distinguía | Él distinguía bien los colores antes.He used to distinguish colors well before. |
| nosotros | distinguíamos | Nosotros distinguíamos los detalles pequeños.We used to distinguish the small details. |
| vosotros | distinguíais | Vosotros distinguíais verdad y mentira rápido.You used to distinguish truth and lies quickly. |
| ellos | distinguían | Ellos distinguían las señales al instante.They used to distinguish the signs instantly. |
Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto
Past Perfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | había distinguido | Yo había distinguido tu voz antes.I had distinguished your voice before. |
| tú | habías distinguido | Tú habías distinguido lo importante ya.You had distinguished what is important already. |
| él | había distinguido | Él había distinguido bien los colores previamente.He had distinguished the colors well previously. |
| nosotros | habíamos distinguido | Nosotros habíamos distinguido los detalles antes.We had distinguished the details before. |
| vosotros | habíais distinguido | Vosotros habíais distinguido verdad y mentira esa mañana.You had distinguished truth and lies that morning. |
| ellos | habían distinguido | Ellos habían distinguido las señales antes.They had distinguished the signs before. |
Pretérito Anterior
Preterite Anterior
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | hube distinguido | Cuando yo hube distinguido tu voz, me giré.When I had distinguished your voice, I turned around. |
| tú | hubiste distinguido | En cuanto tú hubiste distinguido lo importante, lo dijiste.As soon as you had distinguished what was important, you said it. |
| él | hubo distinguido | Después de que él hubo distinguido los colores, respondió.After he had distinguished the colors, he answered. |
| nosotros | hubimos distinguido | Apenas nosotros hubimos distinguido los detalles, entendimos todo.As soon as we had distinguished the details, we understood everything. |
| vosotros | hubisteis distinguido | Una vez que vosotros hubisteis distinguido verdad y mentira, decidisteis.Once you had distinguished truth and lies, you decided. |
| ellos | hubieron distinguido | Cuando ellos hubieron distinguido las señales, siguieron adelante.When they had distinguished the signs, they moved on. |
Futuro
Future
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | distinguiré | Yo distinguiré tu voz mañana.I will distinguish your voice tomorrow. |
| tú | distinguirás | Tú distinguirás lo importante pronto.You will distinguish what is important soon. |
| él | distinguirá | Él distinguirá bien los colores.He will distinguish the colors well. |
| nosotros | distinguiremos | Nosotros distinguiremos los detalles.We will distinguish the details. |
| vosotros | distinguiréis | Vosotros distinguiréis verdad y mentira.You will distinguish truth and lies. |
| ellos | distinguirán | Ellos distinguirán las señales.They will distinguish the signs. |
Futuro Perfecto
Future Perfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | habré distinguido | Para entonces yo habré distinguido tu voz.By then I will have distinguished your voice. |
| tú | habrás distinguido | Tú habrás distinguido lo importante ya.You will have distinguished what is important already. |
| él | habrá distinguido | Él habrá distinguido bien los colores para esa hora.He will have distinguished the colors well by that time. |
| nosotros | habremos distinguido | Nosotros habremos distinguido los detalles antes.We will have distinguished the details beforehand. |
| vosotros | habréis distinguido | Vosotros habréis distinguido verdad y mentira para entonces.You will have distinguished truth and lies by then. |
| ellos | habrán distinguido | Ellos habrán distinguido las señales ya.They will have distinguished the signs already. |
Condicional
Conditional
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | distinguiría | Yo distinguiría tu voz incluso en ruido.I would distinguish your voice even in noise. |
| tú | distinguirías | Tú distinguirías lo importante con más calma.You would distinguish what is important more calmly. |
| él | distinguiría | Él distinguiría mejor los colores con más luz.He would distinguish the colors better with more light. |
| nosotros | distinguiríamos | Nosotros distinguiríamos los detalles pequeños.We would distinguish the small details. |
| vosotros | distinguiríais | Vosotros distinguiríais verdad y mentira mejor.You would distinguish truth and lies better. |
| ellos | distinguirían | Ellos distinguirían las señales más rápido.They would distinguish the signs faster. |
Condicional Perfecto
Conditional Perfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | habría distinguido | Yo habría distinguido tu voz incluso en ruido.I would have distinguished your voice even in noise. |
| tú | habrías distinguido | Tú habrías distinguido lo importante con más calma.You would have distinguished what is important more calmly. |
| él | habría distinguido | Él habría distinguido mejor los colores con más luz.He would have distinguished the colors better with more light. |
| nosotros | habríamos distinguido | Nosotros habríamos distinguido los detalles pequeños.We would have distinguished the small details. |
| vosotros | habríais distinguido | Vosotros habríais distinguido verdad y mentira mejor.You would have distinguished truth and lies better. |
| ellos | habrían distinguido | Ellos habrían distinguido las señales más rápido.They would have distinguished the signs faster. |
Subjuntivo Presente
Present Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | distinga | Espero que yo distinga tu voz.I hope that I distinguish your voice. |
| tú | distingas | Quiero que tú distingas lo importante.I want you to distinguish what is important. |
| él | distinga | Es importante que él distinga bien los colores.It is important that he distinguish the colors well. |
| nosotros | distingamos | Deseo que nosotros distingamos los detalles.I wish that we distinguish the details. |
| vosotros | distinguáis | Es mejor que vosotros distinguáis verdad y mentira.It is better that you distinguish truth and lies. |
| ellos | distingan | Temo que ellos no distingan las señales.I fear that they may not distinguish the signs. |
Subjuntivo Pretérito Perfecto
Present Perfect Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | haya distinguido | Dudo que yo haya distinguido tu voz aún.I doubt that I have distinguished your voice yet. |
| tú | hayas distinguido | No creo que tú hayas distinguido lo importante ya.I do not think that you have distinguished what is important already. |
| él | haya distinguido | Es posible que él haya distinguido bien los colores.It is possible that he has distinguished the colors well. |
| nosotros | hayamos distinguido | Es probable que nosotros hayamos distinguido los detalles.It is likely that we have distinguished the details. |
| vosotros | hayáis distinguido | No parece que vosotros hayáis distinguido verdad y mentira todavía.It does not seem that you have distinguished truth and lies yet. |
| ellos | hayan distinguido | Puede que ellos hayan distinguido las señales.They may have distinguished the signs. |
Subjuntivo Pretérito Imperfecto
Imperfect Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | distinguiera | Si yo distinguiera tu voz, te llamaría.If I distinguished your voice, I would call you. |
| tú | distinguieras | Si tú distinguieras lo importante, avanzarías mejor.If you distinguished what is important, you would move forward better. |
| él | distinguiera | Si él distinguiera bien los colores, acertaría.If he distinguished the colors well, he would get it right. |
| nosotros | distinguiéramos | Si nosotros distinguiéramos los detalles, entenderíamos más.If we distinguished the details, we would understand more. |
| vosotros | distinguierais | Si vosotros distinguierais verdad y mentira, no dudaríais.If you distinguished truth and lies, you would not hesitate. |
| ellos | distinguieran | Si ellos distinguieran las señales, no se perderían.If they distinguished the signs, they would not get lost. |
Subjuntivo Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto
Past Perfect Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | hubiera distinguido | Si yo hubiera distinguido tu voz, te habría llamado.If I had distinguished your voice, I would have called you. |
| tú | hubieras distinguido | Si tú hubieras distinguido lo importante, habrías avanzado mejor.If you had distinguished what is important, you would have moved forward better. |
| él | hubiera distinguido | Si él hubiera distinguido bien los colores, habría acertado.If he had distinguished the colors well, he would have gotten it right. |
| nosotros | hubiéramos distinguido | Si nosotros hubiéramos distinguido los detalles, habríamos entendido más.If we had distinguished the details, we would have understood more. |
| vosotros | hubierais distinguido | Si vosotros hubierais distinguido verdad y mentira, no habríais dudado.If you had distinguished truth and lies, you would not have hesitated. |
| ellos | hubieran distinguido | Si ellos hubieran distinguido las señales, no se habrían perdido.If they had distinguished the signs, they would not have gotten lost. |
Subjuntivo Futuro
Future Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | distinguiere | Si algún día yo distinguiere tu voz, responderé.If someday I should distinguish your voice, I will respond. |
| tú | distinguieres | Si tú distinguieres lo importante, decidirás mejor.If you should distinguish what is important, you will decide better. |
| él | distinguiere | Si él distinguiere los colores, terminará la prueba.If he should distinguish the colors, he will finish the test. |
| nosotros | distinguiéremos | Si nosotros distinguiéremos los detalles, cambiaremos de idea.If we should distinguish the details, we will change our minds. |
| vosotros | distinguiereis | Si vosotros distinguiereis verdad y mentira, hablaréis claro.If you should distinguish truth and lies, you will speak clearly. |
| ellos | distinguieren | Si ellos distinguieren las señales, seguirán bien.If they should distinguish the signs, they will continue correctly. |
Subjuntivo Futuro Perfecto
Future Perfect Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | hubiere distinguido | Cuando yo hubiere distinguido tu voz, te escribiré.When I shall have distinguished your voice, I will write to you. |
| tú | hubieres distinguido | Cuando tú hubieres distinguido lo importante, decidirás.When you shall have distinguished what is important, you will decide. |
| él | hubiere distinguido | Cuando él hubiere distinguido bien los colores, sonreirá.When he shall have distinguished the colors well, he will smile. |
| nosotros | hubiéremos distinguido | Cuando nosotros hubiéremos distinguido los detalles, hablaremos.When we shall have distinguished the details, we will talk. |
| vosotros | hubiereis distinguido | Cuando vosotros hubiereis distinguido verdad y mentira, actuaréis.When you shall have distinguished truth and lies, you will act. |
| ellos | hubieren distinguido | Cuando ellos hubieren distinguido las señales, llegarán.When they shall have distinguished the signs, they will arrive. |
Imperativo Afirmativo
Affirmative Imperative
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | - | — |
| tú | distingue | Tú, distingue lo importante.You, distinguish what is important. |
| él | distinga | Que él distinga bien los colores.Let him distinguish the colors well. |
| nosotros | distingamos | distingamos los detalles ahora.Let us distinguish the details now. |
| vosotros | distinguid | Vosotros, distinguid verdad y mentira.You, distinguish truth and lies. |
| ellos | distingan | Que ellos distingan las señales.Let them distinguish the signs. |
Imperativo Negativo
Negative Imperative
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | - | — |
| tú | no distingas | No no distingas todo tan rápido.Do not distinguish everything so quickly. |
| él | no distinga | Que él no no distinga mal los colores.Let him not distinguish the colors badly. |
| nosotros | no distingamos | No no distingamos detalles falsos.Let us not distinguish false details. |
| vosotros | no distinguáis | No no distinguáis verdad y mentira sin pensar.Do not distinguish truth and lies without thinking. |
| ellos | no distingan | Que ellos no no distingan señales inventadas.Let them not distinguish invented signs. |
Free web drill
Practice distinguir
1 / 1
Presente•yo
Yo ___ tu voz entre todas.
I distinguish your voice among all the others.
Need grammar help?How to form Presente
Use Presente for facts, habits, current states, and regular actions.
Formation
- 1Remove the infinitive ending: -ar, -er, or -ir.
- 2Add the present endings for the subject.
- 3Watch high-frequency irregulars like ser, estar, ir, tener, hacer, and decir.
Pattern
-ar: o, as, a, amos, áis, an-er: o, es, e, emos, éis, en-ir: o, es, e, imos, ís, en
Examples
hablar -> yo hablocomer -> él comevivir -> vosotros vivís
Presente is the base system. Master the endings first, then handle irregular yo forms and stem changes.
Grammar to master with distinguir
Related Spanish grammar topics
Concepts that come up every time you conjugate distinguir. Each is a short, focused guide.
Common questions
Distinguir conjugation — frequently asked
Short, direct answers to what learners search most about distinguir.
- What does 'distinguir' mean in English?
- In Spanish, 'distinguir' means to distinguish. It is a regular -IR verb used across all 18 standard Spanish tenses.
- Is distinguir an irregular verb in Spanish?
- Distinguir is a regular -IR verb. Its endings follow the standard pattern in every tense without stem or root changes.
- How do you conjugate distinguir in the present tense?
- Present tense (Presente) of distinguir: yo distingo, tú distingues, él/ella/usted distingue, nosotros distinguimos, vosotros distinguís, ellos/ellas/ustedes distinguen.
- How do you conjugate distinguir in the preterite?
- Preterite (Pretérito Indefinido) of distinguir: yo distinguí, tú distinguiste, él/ella/usted distinguió, nosotros distinguimos, vosotros distinguisteis, ellos/ellas/ustedes distinguieron. This tense expresses completed past actions at a defined point in time.
- What is the imperfect tense of distinguir?
- Imperfect (Pretérito Imperfecto) of distinguir: yo distinguía, tú distinguías, él/ella/usted distinguía, nosotros distinguíamos, vosotros distinguíais, ellos/ellas/ustedes distinguían. The imperfect describes past habits, ongoing actions, and background states.
- What is the past participle of distinguir?
- The past participle of distinguir is 'distinguido'. It is used to form compound tenses with the auxiliary verb haber — for example, 'he distinguido' (I have distinguished), 'has distinguido', 'ha distinguido'.
- What is the gerundio (present participle) of distinguir?
- The gerundio of distinguir is 'distinguyendo'. It pairs with estar to form the present continuous (estoy distinguyendo) and other progressive tenses, indicating an action in progress.
Related verbs
Continue with verbs that share the same ending and difficulty band.