explicar

Explicar is a Spanish verb meaning to explain or to account for something. It is a transitive verb used to convey information, reasons, or instructions. Etymology: from Latin explicare, formed by ex- “out” and plicare “to fold.”

Usage: It requires a direct object (explicar algo) and, when addressing someone, an indirect object introduced by a. It can introduce subordinate clauses with questions such as por qué, cómo, or qué: Explico por qué llegué tarde; explico cómo funciona el procedimiento.

Conjugation: Present: explico, explicas, explica, explicamos, explicáis, explican. Preterite: expliqué, explicaste, explicó, explicamos, explicasteis, explicaron. Imperfect: explicaba, explicabas, explicaba, explicábamos, explicabais, explicaban. Subjunctive present: explique, expliques, explique, expliquemos, expliquéis, expliquen. Imperative: explica (tú), explique (usted), expliquemos (nosotros), explicad (vosotros), expliquen (ustedes).

Noun forms and related terms: explicación (an explanation); explicable (explainable); explicatorio/explicativa (explanatory). Synonyms include aclarar; related verbs emphasize different aspects, such as justificar or describir. Reflexive use: explicarse means to justify oneself or to become understood, as in Se explica mejor con un ejemplo.

Usage notes: In formal writing, education, journalism, and everyday speech, explicar appears with a direct object and clauses signaling the reason or method (por qué, cómo). It is commonly used with a recipient introduced by a, as in explicar algo a alguien.