The verb usar (to use) in Spanish is an important word to learn as you’ll use it often to talk about objects, clothes, and giving and understanding instructions of all kinds. This easy-to-understand cognate and a regular -AR verb in Spanish does, however, have some key differences you’ll need to remember as you translate some common words and phrases that include the word “use” in English.
Learn to conjugate the verb usar, plus see how to say words and phrases associated with “use” in Spanish, clarifying the nuances of this word in both languages.
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When to choose usar
The uses of usar are fairly straightforward and similar to English. Choose this verb to discuss:
- Tools and instructions
- El libro dice que necesitas usar un destornillador. = The book says you need to use a screwdriver.
- Technology
- Su abuela aprende a usar la computadora. = Her grandmother is learning to use the computer.
- Cooking
- Vamos a usar este cucharón para revolver. = We are going to use this ladle to stir.
- Safety and rules
- Esta salida sólo puede usarse si hay fuego. = This exit can only be used if there is a fire.
- Ella le muestra a su hija cómo usar el cinturón de seguridad. = She shows her daughter how to use the seatbelt.
- Design and art
- Ellos no están de acuerdo sobre el color que van a usar. = They don’t agree on the color they’re going to use.
In addition, Spanish-speakers may use the verb usar when discussing clothing and appearance in place of more specific verbs like llevar puesto (to wear/to have on), or tener (to have). If you enjoy talking about fashion, or if you just need to know what to pack for practical reasons, the verb usar will be helpful.
- Marisol usa una falda larga y una blusa elegante. = Marisol is wearing a long skirt and an elegant blouse.
- Los alumnos deberían usar ropa cómoda. = The students should wear comfortable clothing.
In addition to usar (to use), you can also say ir (to go) when asking “can I use the bathroom” in Spanish. The best one to use is the one that comes most naturally to you when you need this expression.
- Tengo que ir al baño. = I have to go to (use) the bathroom.
- ¿Puedo usar el baño? = Can I use the bathroom?
Conjugating the verb usar
Usar is a regular -AR verb in all of the basic Spanish tenses. As you get used to conjugating regular verbs like usar, you’ll be able to apply the same patterns to many other verbs. This will be invaluable as you create your own sentences, because you’ll come back to this pattern again and again.
usar (to use) present tense
| yo uso | I use | nosotros usamos | we use |
| tú usas | you use (informal) | vosotros usáis | you use (informal, plural, Spain only) |
| él/ella usa usted usa |
he/she uses you use (formal) |
ellos/ellas usan ustedes usan |
they use you use (plural) |
- Yo uso esta máquina para hacer libros. = I use this machine to make books.
- Si apagas las luces, la cantidad de electricidad que usas disminuirá. = If you turn off the lights, the amount of electricity you use will decrease.
- El granjero usa el tractor para plantar semillas. = The farmer uses the tractor to plant seeds.
- Ellos usan martillos. = They use hammers.
How do you say ‘used’ in Spanish?
The word “used” in English has several different meanings. Depending on the part of speech and what you mean to say, “used” in Spanish could be a preterite tense form like usé (I used), the adjective form like usado (previously used/second-hand), or could be a part of the imperfect tense, as in yo corría (I used to run). Your intended meaning will determine the form you’ll use in Spanish.
Usar in the Spanish preterite tense
The Spanish preterite tense expresses a completed action in the past.
- Mi esposo usó la llave y los alicates para arreglarla. = My husband used the wrench and the pliers to fix it.
- Los franceses disminuyeron la cantidad de electricidad que usaron el año pasado. = The French decreased the amount of electricity that they used last year.
Usar in the Spanish imperfect tense
The imperfect tense is the correct tense to use in Spanish if you’re describing an ongoing action or state in the past.
- Él tuvo un accidente. Afortunadamente, usaba el cinturón de seguridad. = He had an accident. Fortunately, he was wearing his seatbelt.
What is ‘used to’ in Spanish?
Another uso (use) of the Spanish imperfect tense is to discuss habitual or repeated actions in the past. One way English speakers express this is with the phrase “used to.”
In Spanish, the main verb is used in the imperfect. Share your nostalgia of childhood with a Spanish-speaking friend, and compare how you spent your time in the past to practice these forms.
- Antes pasaba mucho tiempo mirando televisión. = In the past, I used to spend a lot of time watching television.
- Yo tenía una bicicleta. = I used to have a bicycle.
- Yo jugaba al fútbol aquí. = I used to play soccer here.
This is distinct from “something is used to do something else,” which would be translated as usado para + infinitive verb.
- Estas latas son recicladas. El metal será usado para hacer nuevas latas. = These cans are recycled. The metal will be used to make new cans.
The Spanish adjective usado/usada
Items that have been previously used or are second-hand are usado (used). You’ll know which form to use in Spanish by following a simple grammar rule about Spanish adjectives: They always agree in gender and number with the noun they’re describing.
| Spanish Example | English Meaning | Gender/Number |
| Busco un coche usado. | I’m looking for a used car. | masculine singular |
| Prefiero comprar ropa usada porque es menos cara. | I prefer to buy used clothing because it’s less expensive. | feminine singular |
| Limpia esos trapos usados. | Wash those used rags. | masculine plural |
| Puedes reciclar las bolsas usadas aquí. | You can recycle the used bags here. | feminine plural |
An alternative, especially if you’re hoping to save money or be a more responsible consumer, is de segunda mano (second-hand). This invariable phrase doesn’t change form.
- Me gustan las librerías de segunda mano. = I like second–hand book shops.
The Spanish noun el uso
Stemming from the verb “to use” in Spanish is the noun el uso (the use) or un uso (a use). Nouns are often preceded by Spanish definite and indefinite articles which depend on what you’re communicating. You can understand rules and procedures, and academic texts about language with the noun uso, as in these examples.
- El uso de móviles durante el examen está prohibido. = The use of cell phones during the exam is prohibited.
- Esta lección es sobre el uso de por vs para. = This lesson is about the use of por vs para.
- Uno de los usos de la coma en español es para indicar una pausa. = One of the uses of the comma in Spanish is to indicate a pause.
- Intento evitar los plásticos de un solo uso. = I try to avoid single-use plastics.
How to say ‘to get used to’ in Spanish
The English phrase “to get used to” means to become familiar with something. The most common translation in Spanish would be acostumbrarse, but there are a few more options for you to choose from. Some ways to express this idea include these Spanish reflexive verbs:
| Spanish Verb | Spanish Example | English Meaning |
| acostumbrarse | ¿Te has acostumbrado al cambio de hora? | Have you gotten used to the time change? |
| familiarizarse | Los niños aún se están familiarizando con su nuevo hogar. | The children are still getting used to their new home. |
| habituarse | En una nueva cultura, se necesita tiempo para habituarse. | In a new culture, you need time to get used to it. |
You can also use estar and the adjective forms of acostumbrado to say “to be used to.”
- La profesora no está acostumbrada a enseñar alumnos de esta edad. = The teacher isn’t used to teaching students of this age.
- Todavía no estamos acostumbrados a conducir por la izquierda. = We’re still not used to driving on the left.
How to say ‘useful’ in Spanish
If you want to describe something as “useful” in Spanish, say útil (useful). The form of this adjective is the same for both masculine and feminine singular nouns, but changes to útiles when you describe plural nouns.
Key takeaways about ‘use’ in Spanish
Communicate with confidence by noticing the word “use” in Spanish and how its meaning changes in different tenses and contexts. Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method is extremely útil as a tool to make a lot of progress quickly with nuanced words like this.
- Conjugate the verb usar (to use) in the appropriate tense to talk about using an object, tool, or material.
- “Used to” can be translated in several ways, so you’ll need to pay attention to the context.
- The word for “second-hand” is usado, an adjective with four forms depending on the gender and number of the noun.
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