Don't forget the 'se'

Wrong Preposition

In most present forms, the 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue'. Think of it like the word 'boot'—the change happens in all forms except 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros).

The Root Change

To keep the pronunciation sounding like an 's', the letter 'z' changes to a 'c' whenever it is followed by an 'e', like in 'esforcé' or 'esfuerce'.

The Z to C Swap

When talking about a person trying hard, we almost always use the reflexive 'se' (esforzarse). You 'effort yourself' in Spanish!

Usually Reflexive

Use '¡Esfuérzate!' to tell a friend 'Give it your all!' or 'Try your best!'

Encouraging Others

Extremely common in daily conversation, especially when talking about work or study.

Unlike when you 'make an effort,' when you are straining a body part, you don't use the 'se' pronoun. It's an action you do TO your eyes or voice.

No 'se' required

Doctors often use this verb to tell patients not to overexert their muscles or senses.

Medical Context

Less common than the reflexive form; used specifically for physical or mechanical strain.

Learn how to use 'esforzar' and 'esforzarse' in Spanish. Includes full conjugation tables, examples for straining eyes/voice, and tips for saying 'make an effort.'

Esforzar Meaning & Conjugation | Spanish Verb Guide

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The conditional is regular: esforzaría, esforzarías, esforzaría...

The future tense is regular: add endings to the full infinitive esforzar-.

The imperative uses 'esfuerza' for tú and 'esfuercen' for formal commands.

Esforzar is completely regular in the imperfect: esforzaba, esforzabas, esforzaba...

The imperfect subjunctive uses the preterite base: esforzara, esforzaras...

The negative imperative always uses the present subjunctive forms after 'no'.

Esforzar is a stem-changing verb (o > ue) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.

The present subjunctive follows the stem change (o > ue) and the spelling change (z > c).

The preterite of esforzar features a spelling change (z > c) in the 'yo' form: esforcé.

esforzar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

present

imperative

negative

affirmative

indicative

conditional

preterite

imperfect

present

future

Practice Conjugations

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