dedICO

Dedico is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb dedicar, meaning I devote or I dedicate. It is used to express commitment of time, effort, or something to a person, a purpose, or a cause.

Grammatical notes: Dedicar is a transitive verb and follows regular -ar conjugation patterns. In the present tense, the forms are: dedico, dedicas, dedica, dedicamos, dedicáis, dedican. The verb also forms compound tenses with haber (he dedicado, habrás dedicado, etc.). Its gerund is dedicando and its past participle is dedicado.

Usage and examples: Dedico mi tiempo a mis estudios, or I dedicate my time to my studies. Dedico este libro a mis abuelos, meaning I dedicate this book to my grandparents. It can also express a personal commitment, as in dedico mis esfuerzos a la defensa del medio ambiente. The construction often involves a direct object and a phrase such as a + infinitive or a + noun indicating the recipient or aim (a mi familia, a la ciencia, a la comunidad).

Etymology and related forms: Dedico derives from Latin dēdicāre, formed from de- (“completely, away”) and dicāre (“to consecrate, dedicate”). Related forms include dedicación (dedication), dedicado (dedicated, past participle), and dedicando (gerund).

See also: dedication, dedicate (as a noun and verb in Spanish context), Spanish verb conjugation.