The presente de subjuntivo of cubrir is used to express wishes, desires, doubts, or uncertainties about covering something, for example: Espero que cubras bien la mesa antes de que lleguen los invitados. (I hope you cover the table well before the guests arrive.)

Cubrir is a regular -ir verb, so its presente de subjuntivo conjugations follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Cubrir (to cover) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish):

Cubrir generally means to cover or protect, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

To cover or protect: for example, Que cubra la mesa con un mantel (That he covers the table with a tablecloth).

To fulfill or satisfy: for example, Que cubra sus necesidades básicas (That he fulfills his basic needs).

To replace or substitute: for example, Que cubra el turno de su compañero enfermo (That he covers the shift of his sick coworker).

To pay or finance: for example, Que cubra los gastos del viaje (That he covers the expenses of the trip).

To disguise or conceal (colloquial): for example, Que cubra sus verdaderas intenciones (That he conceals his true intentions).

To insult or criticize (rude, colloquial): for example, Que me cubra con sus comentarios hirientes (That he insults me with his hurtful comments).

Examples

Examples of Cubrir in the Subjunctive Mood

Es importante que cubras tu boca al toser. (It’s important that you cover your mouth when coughing.)

El médico recomienda que cubras la herida con una venda limpia. (The doctor recommends that you cover the wound with a clean bandage.)

Esperamos que cubran todos los gastos con el seguro. (We hope they cover all the expenses with the insurance.)

Aunque llueva, es necesario que cubramos la distancia a pie. (Even if it rains, it’s necessary that we cover the distance on foot.)

El instructor insiste en que cubráis la cabeza antes de entrar al agua. (The instructor insists that you cover your head before entering the water.)

Mamá quiere que cubra la comida para que no se enfríe. (Mom wants me to cover the food so it doesn’t get cold.)

Ojalá que cubran todos los temas importantes en la reunión. (Hopefully they cover all the important topics in the meeting.)

Es una lástima que no cubramos los eventos deportivos en la ciudad. (It’s a shame that we don’t cover the sporting events in the city.)

El jefe sugiere que cubras el turno de noche esta semana. (The boss suggests that you cover the night shift this week.)

Mis padres insisten en que cubra mis hombros en la iglesia. (My parents insist that I cover my shoulders in church.)

Tal vez sea mejor que cubramos las ventanas con cortinas gruesas. (Maybe it’s better that we cover the windows with thick curtains.)

El entrenador pide que cubran más terreno en la cancha. (The coach asks that they cover more ground on the field.)

Aunque no lo creas, es bueno que cubras tus oídos cuando haga mucho frío. (Although you may not believe it, it’s good that you cover your ears when it’s very cold.)

Los expertos recomiendan que cubramos nuestros teléfonos con una funda protectora. (Experts recommend that we cover our phones with a protective case.)

Es fundamental que cubran la noticia con objetividad. (It’s essential that they cover the news objectively.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Cubrir (to cover) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.