-er verb irregular · spelling-change-c-zc C1 · Advanced

Conjugate carecer in Spanish

to lack, to be without

carecer is an irregular -er verb ranked #2051 among the most common Spanish verbs. For example: "Carece de experiencia para el puesto." (He lacks experience for the position.). Use the tables below for full conjugation across all 7 tenses.

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⚡ Irregular verb — carecer (spelling-change-c-zc) does not follow standard -er patterns. Pay close attention to the stems in each tense.

Describes current actions, habits, and general truths. The most frequently used tense — master it first.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo carezco *
careces
él/ella/Ud. carece
nosotros carecemos
vosotros carecéis
ellos/ellas/Uds. carecen
Example

Carece de experiencia para el puesto.

He lacks experience for the position.

Describes completed past actions with a clear start and end. Key signals: ayer, el lunes pasado, de repente.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo carecí
careciste
él/ella/Ud. careció
nosotros carecimos
vosotros carecisteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. carecieron
Example

Ayer yo carecí.

Yesterday I lack, to be without.

Describes habitual past actions, background context, and ongoing states. Key signals: siempre, normalmente, cuando era niño.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo carecía
carecías
él/ella/Ud. carecía
nosotros carecíamos
vosotros carecíais
ellos/ellas/Uds. carecían
Example

Antes yo carecía con frecuencia.

Before, I used to lack, to be without often.

Describes future events and predictions. In everyday speech, ir a + infinitive is often preferred for planned events.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo careceré
carecerás
él/ella/Ud. carecerá
nosotros careceremos
vosotros careceréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. carecerán
Example

Mañana yo careceré.

Tomorrow I will lack, to be without.

Expresses what would happen under certain conditions — equivalent to "would" in English. Also used for polite requests.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo carecería
carecerías
él/ella/Ud. carecería
nosotros careceríamos
vosotros careceríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. carecerían
Example

Si pudiera, yo carecería.

If I could, I would lack, to be without.

Used in clauses expressing wishes, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty — typically after que. Triggers: querer, esperar, dudar, ojalá.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo carezca *
carezcas *
él/ella/Ud. carezca *
nosotros carezcamos *
vosotros carezcáis *
ellos/ellas/Uds. carezcan *
Example

Espero que tú carezcas.

I hope that you lack, to be without.

Used to give commands and direct requests. Affirmative and negative forms differ significantly in Spanish.

Pronoun Conjugation
yo -
carece
él/ella/Ud. carezca *
nosotros carezcamos *
vosotros careced
ellos/ellas/Uds. carezcan *
Example

Carece de experiencia para el puesto.

He lacks experience for the position.

Test yourself

Type the correct conjugation for each prompt.

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Example sentences

Common phrases with carecer

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