estudiar
/estuˈdjaɾ/
To study in Spanish is estudiar.
estudiar means to spend time learning about a subject, typically by reading or attending classes. It is used to describe the process of studying, whereas the verb aprender is used to describe the result of that process, which is to learn.
How does it change in a sentence?
estudiar is a regular -ar verb, which means it follows the standard conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -ar. In the present tense, the forms are estudio (I study), estudias (you study), estudia (he/she studies), estudiamos (we study), estudiáis (you all study) and estudian (they study). The preterite or past tense forms are also regular: estudié (I studied), estudiaste (you studied), estudió (he/she studied), estudiamos (we studied), estudiasteis (you all studied) and estudiaron (they studied).
How do you pronounce it?
/estuˈdjaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if someone asks ¿Qué estudias?, they are asking about your degree or career path, even if you have already graduated.
- The phrase estudiar el caso is a common idiom used to mean 'examining a situation' or 'deliberating a proposal', moving the meaning from academic learning to legal or analytical scrutiny.
- While an English speaker might say they are 'studying' a musical instrument, a Spanish speaker is more likely to use the verb practicar.
Examples in context
- María estudia en la universidad.María studies at the university.
- Voy a estudiar para el examen.I'm going to study for the exam.
- Me voy a poner a estudiar para el próximo año escolar.I'm going to start studying for the next school year.
- Estoy estudiando medicina.I'm studying medicine.
- Necesito estudiar para mi examen de matemáticas.I need to study for my math exam.
- Estoy en la biblioteca estudiando.I'm at the library studying.
- Siempre dedico tiempo para estudiar todos los días.I always dedicate time to study every day.
- Estudio español en la universidad.I study Spanish at the university.
- Tengo que estudiar para el examen.I have to study for the exam.
- Ella quiere estudiar medicina en la universidad.She wants to study medicine at the university.
- ¿Dónde vas a estudiar este verano?Where are you going to study this summer?
Example conversation
Two classmates talking about their afternoon plans.
- DanielHola Lucía, ¿quieres estudiar conmigo hoy?Hi Lucía, do you want to study with me today?
- LucíaSí, Daniel. ¿A qué hora empezamos?Yes, Daniel. What time do we start?
- DanielPodemos estudiar a las cuatro de la tarde.We can study at four in the afternoon.
- LucíaPerfecto, nos vemos en la escuela.Perfect, I'll see you at school.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry estudiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
