-ar verb irregular · stem-changing-e-ie B2 · Upper Intermediate

Conjugate encerrar in Spanish

to lock up, to enclose

encerrar is an irregular -ar verb ranked #692 among the most common Spanish verbs. For example: "Encerraron al prisionero en una celda oscura." (They locked the prisoner in a dark cell.). Use the tables below for full conjugation across all 7 tenses.

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⚡ Irregular verb — encerrar (stem-changing-e-ie) does not follow standard -ar 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 encierro *
encierras *
él/ella/Ud. encierra *
nosotros encerramos
vosotros encerráis
ellos/ellas/Uds. encierran *
Example

Me encierro en mi habitación cuando necesito estudiar.

I lock myself in my room when I need to study.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo encerré
encerraste
él/ella/Ud. encerró
nosotros encerramos
vosotros encerrasteis
ellos/ellas/Uds. encerraron
Example

Encerraron al prisionero en una celda oscura.

They locked the prisoner in a dark cell.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo encerraba
encerrabas
él/ella/Ud. encerraba
nosotros encerrábamos
vosotros encerrabais
ellos/ellas/Uds. encerraban
Example

Antes yo encerraba con frecuencia.

Before, I used to lock up, to enclose often.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo encerraré
encerrarás
él/ella/Ud. encerrará
nosotros encerraremos
vosotros encerraréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. encerrarán
Example

Mañana yo encerraré.

Tomorrow I will lock up, to enclose.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo encerraría
encerrarías
él/ella/Ud. encerraría
nosotros encerraríamos
vosotros encerraríais
ellos/ellas/Uds. encerrarían
Example

Si pudiera, yo encerraría.

If I could, I would lock up, to enclose.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo encierre *
encierres *
él/ella/Ud. encierre *
nosotros encerremos
vosotros encerréis
ellos/ellas/Uds. encierren *
Example

Espero que tú encierres.

I hope that you lock up, to enclose.

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

Pronoun Conjugation
yo -
encierra *
él/ella/Ud. encierre *
nosotros encerremos
vosotros encerrad
ellos/ellas/Uds. encierren *
Example

Este libro encierra grandes verdades sobre la vida.

This book contains great truths about life.

Test yourself

Type the correct conjugation for each prompt.

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Example sentences

Common phrases with encerrar

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