The participio (past participle) is a non-finit verb or a "verbal" that has the characteristics of an adjective. It is formed by adding the suffix ado to (ar) verbs and ido to (er) and (ir) verbs. Sometimes it is part of a verbal phrase. Here are some examples:
er and ir verbs comer ---> comido (eaten) tener ---> tenido (had) salir ---> salido (departed)
Many verbs have irregular past participles. Here are some common ones:
abrir ---> abierto (opened)
decir ---> dicho (said)
hacer ---> hecho (done or made)
morir ---> muerto (dead)
poner ---> puesto (put)
romper ---> roto (broken)
ver ---> visto (seen)
As in English, the past participle can be used in a variety of Spanish sentences.
¿Has hablado con el profesor?
Have you spoken with the teacher?
¿Has visto esta película?
Have you seen this movie?
No mencioné nada sobre lo que TÚ llevas puesto!
I didn't say anything about what YOU are wearing!
Yo no sé quién ha roto la ventana.
I don't know who has broken the window.
Quick Explanation
The participio (past participle) can be used in two forms: as part of a verbal phrase or describing a noun as an adjective. Let's see both examples.
*as a verbal phrase
Luisa ha recibido el boleto de avión. - Luisa has received the airplane ticket. Yo he comido pastel de zanahoria. - I have eaten carrot cake.
*as an adjective
Está confundido. - He is confused. Dos mil ciento cincuenta pesetas por noche, desayuno incluido. - Two thousand one hundred fifty pesetas per night, breakfast included.
Long Explanation
There are some verbs that have two past participles: one regular and one irregular. Usually the regular past participle is used to form the phrasal verbs (generally in the present perfect) with the suffixes -ado, -ido; the irregular past participle is used as an adjective with the suffixes -to, -so, -cho.
Examples:
regular El padre ha bendecido a sus hijos antes de partir.
- The father has blessed his children before they leave.
irregular El padre bendito hace el bien a sus semejantes.
- The blessed father does good toward his fellow men.
regular El misionero ha convertido a muchas personas a su fe.
- The missionary has converted a lot of people to his faith.
irregular El misionero predicó el evangelio al hombre converso.
- The missionary preached the gospel to the converted man.
regular Las leyes en el país se han corrompido.
- The laws in the country have been corrupted.
irregular Ese gobernador corrupto nunca cumple las leyes del país.
- That corrupt governor never abides the country's laws.
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