Verb · A2 · Spanish glossary
Cambiar: to change
cambiar
Pronunciation: kahm-BYAHR (stress the capital letters)
Cambiar means “to change” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to change
- How to say it: kahm-BYAHR
- Present: yo cambio, tú cambias
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “cambiar” means and how to use it
Cambiar means “to change” something, to switch, or to exchange.
How to conjugate “cambiar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | cambio | I |
| tú | cambias | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | cambia | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | cambiamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | cambian | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo cambié, él cambió | I / he or she |
| Past participle | cambiado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Cambio de trabajo este año.I am changing jobs this year.
- ¿Puedo cambiar esta camisa?Can I exchange this shirt?
- La ciudad cambia mucho.The city changes a lot.
Usage tip
Cambiar de plus a noun means to switch to another one: cambiar de casa, cambiar de idea. Without “de” it means to change the thing itself.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to change” in Spanish?
“to change” in Spanish is “cambiar.” It is pronounced kahm-BYAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “cambiar”?
Say kahm-BYAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “cambiar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “cambié” and “él” is “cambió.” The past participle is “cambiado.”
Practice “cambiar” for free
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