aclarar
verbCEFR B2
What does “aclarar” mean in English?
to clarify, to make clear
to clarify, to make clear (aclarar que + indicative — correcting a misunderstanding)
Example sentences
Quisiera aclarar que los datos presentados en el informe corresponden al ejercicio anterior, no al actual.
I would like to clarify that the figures presented in the report refer to the previous financial year, not the current one.
Permítame aclarar un punto que parece haber generado cierta confusión entre los asistentes.
Allow me to clarify a point that seems to have caused some confusion among those present.
Para aclarar cualquier duda al respecto, pueden ponerse en contacto con nuestro departamento de atención al cliente.
To clarify any questions on this matter, please contact our customer service department.
How to use it
Aclarar means 'to clarify' or 'to make clear'. It is the natural verb for correcting a misunderstanding or specifying the scope of a statement. Pattern: aclarar que + indicative (asserting a clarification). A softer alternative is quisiera aclarar que or permítame aclarar que, which combines hedging (quisiera = conditional of querer) with content delivery. Register note: aclarar is neutral-formal; precisar and puntualizar are higher register alternatives for written texts.
Common mistake
Aclarar que takes indicative because it is asserting a factual clarification, not expressing a wish or doubt: 'Aclaro que no hubo irregularidades' (indicative). English speakers sometimes over-apply the subjunctive here. Contrast with pedir que requires subjunctive — the mood signals speaker commitment (indicative) versus influence on another (subjunctive).