alegra
/ah-LEH-grah/
makes happy
When something 'alegra' (makes happy) someone else, it brings them joy.
alegra(Verb (Conjugated Form))
makes happy
?He, she, it, or you (formal) performs the action.
,cheers up
?causes joy
gladdens
?formal emotion
📝 In Action
Esta música siempre me alegra los días difíciles.
A1This music always makes my difficult days happier.
Ella dice que una caminata por el bosque le alegra el alma.
A2She says a walk in the forest cheers up her soul.
Si Usted me visita, eso me alegra muchísimo.
B1If you visit me, that makes me extremely happy.
💡 Grammar Points
Cause and Effect
We use 'alegra' when a singular subject (like 'the music' or 'my friend') is the cause of the happiness, and the recipient (the person getting happy) is shown using pronouns like 'me' or 'le'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong verb for 'I am happy'
Mistake: "Using 'Yo alegra' to mean 'I am happy.'"
Correction: To express *your own* happiness, you need the reflexive form, 'Me alegro.' 'Alegra' is used when something *else* is making someone happy.
"¡Alegra!" is a command meaning 'Cheer up!' or 'Brighten up!'
alegra(Verb (Command Form))
Cheer up!
?command to 'tú' (unmodified)
,Make happy!
?instructing 'tú' to make someone else happy
📝 In Action
¡Alegra a tu abuela, que está un poco triste!
A1Cheer up your grandmother, she is a little sad!
¡Alegra esa cara y ven a bailar!
A1Cheer up that face and come dance!
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Tú' Command Trick
When you tell a friend to do something now, the command form for regular -AR verbs ('alegra') looks exactly like the 'él/ella/usted' present tense form of the verb.
Telling Yourself to Cheer Up
To command someone to cheer themselves up, you attach the pronoun 'te' to the end: ¡Alégrate! (Cheer yourself up!). Note the accent mark shift.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: alegra
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'alegra' to describe a current action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'alegra' and 'alegrarse'?
'Alegra' is when something *else* causes joy (Mi hijo me alegra el día). 'AlegraRSE' (seen in forms like 'me alegro') means the subject *feels* joy (Me alegro de verte — I am happy to see you).
Why does the 'tú' command form sound the same as the 'él/ella' present tense?
This is a simple pattern for all regular verbs ending in -AR, like 'alegrar.' The statement ('She sings'/'Ella canta') and the command ('Sing!'/'¡Canta!') share the exact same verb form.