actuar

Actuar is a Spanish verb meaning to act, to perform, or to take action. It can describe performing a role in theatre or film, executing an action in response to a situation, or operating or functioning of a device, system, or organization. The word derives from Latin actus “done” via the standard -ar verb pattern; cognates exist in other Romance languages, such as Portuguese atuar.

Conjugation and usage: As an -ar verb, actuar follows regular endings in most tenses, with notable orthographic accents in some present-tense forms: yo actúo, tú actúas, él actúa, nosotros actuamos, vosotros actuáis, ellos actúan. Preterite: actué, actuaste, actuó, actuamos, actuasteis, actuaron. Past participle: actuado; gerund: actuando. Subjunctive present: actúe, actúes, actúe, actuemos, actuéis, actúen. Imperative: tú actúa, usted actúe, nosotros actuemos, vosotros actuad, ustedes actúen.

Usage and senses: In everyday Spanish, actuar is used to describe behavior (actuar con honestidad), to take action (actuar de inmediato), or to perform a role (actuar en una obra). In technical language, actuar can mean to operate or function, as with machines or organizations (la válvula actúa automáticamente). The noun forms include actuación (the act or performance), acto (an act or deed), and actor/actriz for the person who acts.