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ejercitar

e-her-see-TARexersiˈtar

“ejercitar” means “to exercise” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to exercise

Also: to train, to practice
VerbA2regular ar
A person lifting a heavy barbell in a simple gym setting.
gerundejercitando
past Participleejercitado
infinitiveejercitar

📝 In Action

Es importante ejercitar los músculos de la espalda.

A2

It is important to exercise the back muscles.

Debes ejercitar la mente leyendo libros difíciles.

B1

You should exercise your mind by reading difficult books.

El atleta ejercita su resistencia corriendo cada mañana.

B2

The athlete trains his endurance by running every morning.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ejercitar la memoria – to exercise one's memory
  • ejercitar el cuerpo – to exercise the body

to exercise

Also: to practice
VerbB2regular arformal
A judge in a black robe holding a wooden gavel.
gerundejercitando
past Participleejercitado
infinitiveejercitar

📝 In Action

El ciudadano tiene el deber de ejercitar su derecho al voto.

B2

The citizen has the duty to exercise their right to vote.

Ella ejercita como abogada en esta ciudad.

C1

She practices as a lawyer in this city.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ejercer (to exert/exercise)
  • desempeñar (to carry out)

Common Collocations

  • ejercitar acciones legales – to pursue legal action
  • ejercitar el mando – to exercise command

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoejercitara
túejercitaras
él/ella/ustedejercitara
nosotrosejercitáramos
vosotrosejercitarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesejercitaran

Present Subjunctive

yoejercite
túejercites
él/ella/ustedejercite
nosotrosejercitemos
vosotrosejercitéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesejerciten

Indicative

Preterite

yoejercité
túejercitaste
él/ella/ustedejercitó
nosotrosejercitamos
vosotrosejercitasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesejercitaron

Imperfect

yoejercitaba
túejercitabas
él/ella/ustedejercitaba
nosotrosejercitábamos
vosotrosejercitabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesejercitaban

Present

yoejercito
túejercitas
él/ella/ustedejercita
nosotrosejercitamos
vosotrosejercitáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesejercitan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ejercitar" in Spanish:

to exercise→to practice→to train→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ejercitar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence uses 'ejercitar' correctly for physical health?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ejercicio(exercise) — Noun
ejercitación(the act of practicing) — Noun
ejército(army) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'exercitare', which is a stronger version of 'exercere', meaning to keep busy, drive on, or keep in training.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: exerciseFrench: exercer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'ejercitar' and 'hacer ejercicio'?

'Hacer ejercicio' is the most common way to say 'to work out' in general. 'Ejercitar' is used when you name a specific part of the body or mind you are training.

Is 'ejercitar' an irregular verb?

No, it is a completely regular -ar verb. It follows the same patterns as 'hablar' or 'cantar'.

Can I use 'ejercitar' for my job?

Yes, but it is formal. You can say someone 'ejercita como médico' (practices as a doctor), though 'trabaja' or 'ejerce' is more common in daily speech.