ejercicio
/eh-hehr-SEE-seeoh/
exercise
Ejercicio as physical activity, like going for a run.
ejercicio(noun)
exercise
?physical activity
,workout
?a session of physical training
training
?general physical preparation
📝 In Action
Hacer ejercicio por la mañana me da mucha energía.
A1Exercising in the morning gives me a lot of energy.
Necesitas más ejercicio para mantenerte en forma.
A2You need more exercise to stay in shape.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Remember to always use the masculine article 'el' with this word: 'el ejercicio' (the exercise), even though it ends in '-o'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong verb
Mistake: "Hago deporte/practico deporte (instead of 'hacer ejercicio')."
Correction: While 'deporte' is related, the most natural way to say 'to exercise' is 'hacer ejercicio'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Hacer'
The most common verb paired with 'ejercicio' is 'hacer' (to do/make). 'Hago ejercicio' means 'I exercise'.
An ejercicio (exercise) can also be an academic problem or drill.
ejercicio(noun)
exercise
?academic problem or drill
,problem
?mathematics or logic task
drill
?repeated practice task
📝 In Action
El profesor nos mandó diez ejercicios de gramática para mañana.
A2The teacher assigned us ten grammar exercises for tomorrow.
Este ejercicio de matemáticas es muy difícil.
B1This math problem is very difficult.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
In a classroom setting, 'ejercicio' almost always refers to a practice problem or activity, not physical activity.
Using the word ejercicio when referring to the practice or execution of a right or duty.
ejercicio(noun)
exercise
?the practice or execution of a right/duty
,performance
?carrying out an action
implementation
?putting a duty into effect
📝 In Action
El ejercicio de la libertad de expresión está protegido por la ley.
B2The exercise of freedom of speech is protected by law.
Ella comenzó el ejercicio de su profesión en 2020.
C1She began the practice of her profession in 2020.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Construction
In this formal sense, 'ejercicio' is almost always followed by the preposition 'de' and then a specific abstract noun (e.g., 'el ejercicio de la autoridad').
Ejercicio can refer to a financial period, such as a fiscal year.
ejercicio(noun)
fiscal year
?financial period
,financial year
?accounting period
reporting period
?business context
📝 In Action
El informe muestra las ganancias del último ejercicio económico.
C1The report shows the profits from the last fiscal year.
Cerraremos el ejercicio el 31 de diciembre.
C2We will close the financial year on December 31st.
⭐ Usage Tips
Business Context
When you hear 'ejercicio' in a business meeting, it almost certainly refers to the financial reporting period, not a workout.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ejercicio
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'ejercicio' in its most formal, specialized sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'ejercicio' y 'ejercitar'?
La palabra 'ejercicio' es un sustantivo, es decir, es la cosa que haces (el workout o el problema). La palabra 'ejercitar' es el verbo, que significa 'to practice' o 'to exercise.' Si quieres decir 'I exercise,' usas el verbo 'hacer' más el sustantivo: 'Hago ejercicio'.
Is 'ejercicio' used for meditation or mental training?
Yes, but usually with an adjective. You might hear 'ejercicio mental' or 'ejercicio espiritual' to refer to a mental or spiritual practice or discipline.