estudiar
/estuˈdjaɾ/
To study in Spanish is estudiar.
The verb estudiar is used to express the act of studying. For more formal contexts, you might use Dedicarse al estudio to suggest a higher level of commitment to one's studies or Realizar investigaciones to emphasize the research-oriented aspect of studying.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first person singular present indicative is estudio (I study), the second person singular present indicative is estudias (you study) and the third person singular preterite is estudió (he/she/it studied). The gerund form is estudiando (studying).
How do you pronounce it?
/estuˈdjaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the verb estudiar (to study) with the noun estudio (which can mean a study or an office).
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, estudiar can be used colloquially to describe the act of carefully observing or 'sizing up' a person or a situation before acting.
- While estudiar is used for general learning, Spanish has a distinct word aprender for the actual result of 'learning' or 'acquiring' the knowledge.
- The English word 'study' and the Spanish estudiar are distant cousins, both descending from the Latin 'studium', which originally meant 'zeal' or 'eagerness'.
Examples in context
- Ayer me tocó estudiar.I had to study yesterday.This sentence is useful for expressing that you had to study yesterday using estudiar.Tatoeba #7203197 by arh, translation #9525028 by DJ_Saidez
- No tengo que estudiar.I don't have to study.This sentence is useful for saying you do not have to study using estudiar.Tatoeba #7916790 by arh, translation #6272799 by CK
- Hoy tengo que estudiar.Today I have to study.This sentence is useful for saying you have to study today using estudiar.Tatoeba #2427554 by Shishir, translation #2167427 by CM
- Debo estudiar para el examen de historia.I must study for the history exam.
- Ella se dedica al estudio de la medicina.She is dedicated to the study of medicine.
- Vamos a estudiar juntos para el examen.Let's study together for the exam.
- Es hora de ponerse las pilas y estudiar para el próximo proyecto.It's time to get serious and study for the upcoming project.
- Tengo que empollar los apuntes para el examen de mañana.I have to cram the notes for tomorrow's exam.
- 325 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking in a cafe about their afternoon plans.
- Sofía¿Vas a estudiar esta tarde, Alejandro?Are you going to study this afternoon, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, tengo que estudiar mucho.Yes, I have to study a lot.
- SofíaYo también voy a estudiar un poco.I am also going to study a little.
- Alejandro¡Qué bueno, Sofía, mucha suerte!That's good, Sofía, good luck!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry estudiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estudiar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
