infinitivo
/infiniˈtibo/
The English phrase "infinitive form" is translated into Spanish as infinitivo.
To say "the infinitive form of" in a formal way, you can use either El infinitivo de or La forma infinitiva de.
How do you pronounce it?
/infiniˈtibo/
Did you know?
- The word infinitivo shares the same Latin root as the English word 'infinite', because an infinitive verb is considered 'unbounded' by person, number, or tense.
- Spanish uses the infinitivo to express a general command on signs, such as No fumar for 'No Smoking'. In these cases, it functions as an impersonal imperative.
- In some Spanish dialects, the infinitivo is used colloquially as an exclamation of desire or longing, such as ¡A comer! to mean 'Time to eat!'
Examples in context
- La forma infinitiva de 'cantar' es 'cantar' propiamente dichoThe infinitive form of 'to sing' is 'to sing' proper.
- El infinitivo de 'bailar' es simplemente 'bailar'The infinitive form of 'to dance' is simply 'to dance.'
- Quiero aprender el verbo 'leer.'I want to learn the verb 'to read.'
- El verbo está en infinitivo.The verb is in the infinitive form.
- Necesito saber el infinitivo de ese verbo.I need to know the infinitive form of that verb.
- Escribe la palabra en su infinitivo.Write the word in its infinitive form.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are studying Spanish grammar together.
- Elena¿Cómo se dice esto en infinitivo?How do you say this in the infinitive form?
- AlejandroTienes que usar la forma básica.You have to use the basic form.
- ElenaAh, ya entiendo el concepto de infinitivo.Ah, I understand the concept of the infinitive now.
- AlejandroExacto, Elena, lo has comprendido bien.Exactly, Elena, you understood it well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry infinitivo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries infinitivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
