Introducir vs Presentar in Spanish: What’s the Difference?

Introducir vs presentar are confusing verbs, even for fully bilingual people! These Spanish words are false cognates, and—trust me—confusing them leads to awkward looks from others.

Let’s have a thorough look at introducir vs presentar. We’ll cover in detail the definitions, conjugations, and sample sentences. 

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Introducir Vs Presentar – The Basics

The main difference is that you will use presentar to introduce one person to another person or to introduce something to someone. On the other hand, introducir means to insert, or to enter a place. 

However, to get a complete picture, let’s look at these two verbs in detail. 

4 Meanings of the Spanish Verb ‘Introducir’ 

Let’s start with introducir. You will use this verb mainly to express an action of introducing or inserting one thing into another or a place.

Introducir is a transitive verb, and you can distinguish four different shades of meaning. It translates to: introduce, insert, bring in, and establish, among some other meanings.

1. To Insert Into

Insertar means to put or insert something into something else. 

Introduce la mano en el agujero y gira la tuerca adentro.
Insert the hand into the hole and turn the nut inside.

El médico introdujo la sonda.
The doctor inserted the catheter.

2. To Bring, To Introduce

Insertar can also mean to bring something to a place or to establish.

El millonario introdujo una nueva industria en México.
The millionaire introduced a new industry in Mexico.

Su compañía introduce la mercancía en Colombia.
His company brings the merchandise to Colombia.

Los animales pueden introducir virus nuevos. 
Animals can bring new viruses.

3. To Bring To Someone’s Attention

When introducing something new to someone, use introducir in Spanish.

Mi papá me introdujo al negocio familiar.
My dad introduced me to the family business.

Mi abuela me introdujo a la Cábala. 
My grandmother introduced me to Kabbalah. 

4. To Enter (Computer)

If you work with computers, introducir means to enter or to input.

Introduce los datos en el programa.
Enter the data in the program.

Solo el jefe puede introducir la clave para seguir.
Only the boss can enter the password to continue.

If you want to know more about the meaning of introducir, check this entry by  the Diccionario de la Real Academia Española (DRAE) (Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy).

Conjugation of Introducir

Let’s see how the verb introducir conjugates in present, past, and future tenses. It’s mostly an irregular -ir verb with some irregularities that you need to remember.

Present Tense Conjugation Chart: Introducir

Apoyar is irregular just in one form in the present tense. 

Spanish	English
yo introduzco	I insert
tú introduces	you insert
él, ella, usted introduce	he, she, it inserts (formal you insert)
nosotros introducimos	we insert
ustedes introducen	you insert
ellos, ellas introducen	they insert

Introduce la aguja lentamente.
Slowly insert the needle.

Mi maestro me introduce a las artes marciales. 
My teacher introduces me to martial arts. 

Preterite Tense Conjugation Chart: Introducir

The verb introducir is irregular in all forms of the Spanish preterite tense.

Spanish	English
yo introduje	I inserted
tú introdujiste	you inserted
él, ella, usted introdujo	he, she, it inserted (formal you inserted)
nosotros introdujimos	we inserted
ustedes introdujeron	you inserted
ellos, ellas introdujeron	they inserted

El presidente introdujo unas reformas muy radicales. 
The president introduced some very radical reforms. 

¿Quién te introdujo a la industria?
Who introduced you to the industry?

Future Tense Conjugation Chart: Introducir  

You’ll be happy to hear that introducir is regular in all forms of the Spanish future simple tense. 

Spanish	English
yo introduciré	I will insert
tú introducirás	you will insert
él, ella, introducirá	he, she, it will insert (formal you will insert)
nosotros introduciremos	we will insert
ustedes introducirán	you will insert
ellos, ellas introducirán.	they will insert

¿Crees que introducirán las medidas?
Do you think they will introduce the measures?

Te introduciré al negocio.
I will introduce you to the business. 

8 Meanings of the Spanish Verb ‘Presentar’

Let’s see this verb in detail in terms of meaning and conjugation. The verb presentar is useful to talk about introducing one person to another, or to introduce something to someone. 

1. To Acquaint With

Presentar translates into “introduce” when it means to acquaint someone with somebody.

Te quiero presentar a mi hermana.
I want to introduce you to my sister.

2. To Display

You use the verb presentar to introduce or display something to someone.

Les quiero presentar mi nuevo proyecto. 
I want to show you my new project.

3. To Offer

Presentar can also mean to offer something, in a metaphorical sense.

Vamos a presentar el homenaje a este gran hombre.
Let’s pay tribute to this great man.

Mi hermana siempre presenta excusas cuando le cuestionas algo.
My sister always makes excuses when you question her about something.

4. To Make Public

Presentar also means to introduce the public to someone or something.

A las ocho presentarán la última obra de Juan Gabriel Vázquez.
At eight o’clock they will present the last work of Juan Gabriel Vázquez.

5. To Turn In

Sometimes in school you have to presentar some work on time.

No presentaste tu tésis a tiempo. 
You did not submit your thesis on time. 

6. To Be The Presenter Of

Also use presentar to mean to host a program.

¿Quién presenta este show?
Who hosts this show?

Mi novio presenta las noticias de la mañana.
My boyfriend hosts the morning news.

7. To Have Certain Characteristics

Presentar also means to possess specific features or present certain characteristics.

Mi hijo ya no presenta ningún síntoma.
My son no longer has any symptoms.

La operación presentó serias dificultades.
The operation presented serious difficulties.

8. To Present (military)

In military context, you can also use the verb presentar combined with the noun armas (arms).

Compañía, ¡presenten armas!
Company, present arms!

For more shades of meaning, see the Spanish entries in Diccionario de la Real Academia Española (DRAE) (Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy).

Conjugation of Presentar

Let’s see how the verb presentar conjugates in present, past, and future tenses. It’s a regular -ar verb that won’t give you headaches.

Present Tense Conjugation Chart: Presentar

Presentar is regular in the present tense. 

Spanish	English
yo presento	I introduce
tú presentas	you introduce
él, ella, usted presenta	he, she, it introduces (formal you introduce)
nosotros presentamos	we introduce
ustedes presentan	you introduce
ellos, ellas presentan	they introduce

Todos tienen que presentar sus entradas.
Everyone needs to show their ticket.

Presenta una solución.
Offer a solution.

Preséntame a tu hermana.
Introduce me to your sister.

Preterite Tense Conjugation Chart: Presentar

The verb presentar is also regular in all forms of the Spanish preterite tense.

Spanish	English
yo presenté	I introduced
tú presentaste	you introduced
él, ella, usted presentó	he, she, it introduced (formal you introduced)
nosotros presentamos	we introduced
ustedes presentaron	you introduced
ellos, ellas presentaron	they introduced

Las dos partes presentaron pruebas contundentes.
Both parties introduced strong evidence. 

¡No me presentaste a nadie!
You didn’t introduce me to anyone!

Future Tense Conjugation Chart: Presentar  

You’ll be happy to hear that presentar is also regular in all forms of the Spanish future simple tense. 

Spanish	English
yo presentaré	I will introduce
tú presentarás	you will introduce
él, ella, presentará	he, she, it will introduce (formal you will introduce)
nosotros presentaremos	we will introduce
ustedes presentarán	you will introduce
ellos, ellas presentarán	they will introduce

Hoy presentarán su nueva obra. 
Today they will present their new work. 

La compañía presentará armas frente al monumento.
The company will present arms in front of the monument.

For more conjugation forms see the DRAE entry. 

Introducir vs. Presentar  – Multiple-Choice Quiz

Ready to check if you remember all about introducir vs presentar? There’s one correct option for each question.

1. Me gustaría _________ mi nueva obra..
   1. presentar
   2. introducir
2. El doctor _________ la aguja.
   1. presentó
   2. introdujo
3. Mi padre me _________ a la industria.
   1. presentó
   2. introdujo
4. Mi amigo me _________ a quien ahora es mi esposa.
   1. presentó
   2. introdujo
5. No deben _________ bebidas al concierto.
   1. presentar
   2. introducir
6. No _________ suficientes pruebas.
   1. presentaste
   2. introducir
7. Mañana _________ el homenaje a los héroes caídos.
   1. presentaremos
   2. introduciremos
8. _________ todos los datos con cuidado. 

1. Presenta
2. Introduce

9. Desde ayer el enfermo _________ una notable mejoría.
   1. presenta
   2. introduce
10. Tienes que _________ a las 8 en punto en las oficinas de la empresa.
    1. presentarte
    2. introducirte

See the answer key below!

Keep Practicing Introducir vs Presentar

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Answer Key to Introducir vs Presentar Quiz

1. presentar
2. introdujo
3. introdujo
4. presentó
5. introducir
6. presentaste
7. presentaremos
8. Introduce
9. presenta
10. presentarte