Conjugació

Conjugació, or conjugation, is the set of verb forms used to express different grammatical categories of a verb. In most languages, verbs are inflected for person (first, second, third), number (singular, plural), tense, mood, voice, aspect, and sometimes gender and evidentiality. The exact features and the amount of inflection vary widely from language to language.

Conjugation systems are usually organized into regular patterns or classes. Regular verbs follow predictable endings that attach to a verb stem, producing a complete paradigm for all persons and tenses. Irregular verbs break one or more of these patterns and must be memorized separately. Some languages have a small number of strong irregulars; others have many. In many Romance languages, verbs are grouped into conjugation classes (for example, -ar, -er, -ir in Spanish and Catalan), with shared endings within each class. In English, most verb forms are built with auxiliary verbs and a few inflected endings, making its conjugation comparatively analytic.

Conjugation interacts with syntax and morphology. Some languages rely on affixal endings (synthetic conjugation), others on auxiliary constructions (periphrastic conjugation), and some combine both. Non-finite verb forms such as the infinitive, participle, and gerund (or present participle) accompany finite forms and are used in subordinate clauses, compound tenses, or verbal noun phrases. Tense and aspect may be encoded through verb endings, auxiliary verbs, or particles; mood (such as indicative, subjunctive, or imperative) conveys speaker attitude.

Learning conjugació involves studying paradigms, practicing irregulars, and using reference tables. Grammars, dictionaries, and online conjugation tools provide conjugation tables. The concept is central in language education, helping speakers align verbs with subject, time, and mood within sentences.