Spanish Verb Prefixes

Des-, re-, en-, sobre-, sub-. How prefixes create new verbs from existing ones.

Des- = un-, dis-, opposite

Base verbWith des-Meaning
hacer (to do/make)deshacerto undo
aparecer (to appear)desaparecerto disappear
cubrir (to cover)descubrirto discover / uncover
conocer (to know)desconocerto not recognize
cargar (to load)descargarto download / unload
confiar (to trust)desconfiarto distrust
cansar (to tire)descansarto rest (un-tire)
vestir (to dress)desvestirto undress

Re- = again, back

Base verbWith re-Meaning
hacer (to do)rehacerto redo
leer (to read)releerto reread
escribir (to write)reescribirto rewrite
abrir (to open)reabrirto reopen
construir (to build)reconstruirto rebuild
nacer (to be born)renacerto be reborn

En-/Em- = to make, to put into

RootVerbMeaning
rico (rich)enriquecerto enrich
gordo (fat)engordarto fatten / gain weight
viejo (old)envejecerto age
loco (crazy)enloquecerto drive crazy
botella (bottle)embotellarto bottle
barco (ship)embarcarto embark / board

Other common prefixes

PrefixMeaningExamples
sobre-over, abovesobrevivir (survive), sobrepasar (surpass), sobrevalorar (overvalue)
sub-under, belowsubrayar (underline), subestimar (underestimate), subdividir (subdivide)
pre-beforepredecir (predict), prevenir (prevent), prever (foresee)
contra-against, countercontradecir (contradict), contrarrestar (counteract), contratar (hire/contract)
ante-beforeanteponer (put before), anteceder (precede)
Prefix + verb keeps the conjugation of the base verb!

hacer: hago, hice, hecho → deshacer: deshago, deshice, deshecho
cubrir: cubierto → descubrir: descubierto
decir: digo, dije → predecir: predigo, predije
The prefix doesn't change the conjugation pattern!

Quick quiz

1. hacer → deshacer means _____.

2. aparecer → desaparecer means _____.

3. leer → releer means _____.

4. gordo → engordar means _____.

5. sobrevivir means _____.

6. subrayar means _____.

7. predecir means _____.

8. Deshacer conjugates like _____.

9. descansar = des + cansar (tire) means _____.

10. embotellar comes from _____ (bottle).

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