ejercitar

e-her-see-TAR/exersiˈtar/

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

to exercise🔊A2Verb

muscles or body parts

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to exercise🔊B2Verb

rights, power, or authority

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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.

It is important to exercise the back muscles.

Debes ejercitar la mente leyendo libros difíciles.

You should exercise your mind by reading difficult books.

El atleta ejercita su resistencia corriendo cada mañana.

The athlete trains his endurance by running every morning.

Word Connections

Synonyms

entrenar (to train)
practicar (to practice)

Antonyms

descuidar (to neglect)

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.

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

Ella ejercita como abogada en esta ciudad.

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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesejercitaran

yoejercitara

túejercitaras

vosotrosejercitarais

nosotrosejercitáramos

él/ella/ustedejercitara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesejerciten

yoejercite

túejercites

vosotrosejercitéis

nosotrosejercitemos

él/ella/ustedejercite

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesejercitaron

yoejercité

túejercitaste

vosotrosejercitasteis

nosotrosejercitamos

él/ella/ustedejercitó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesejercitaban

yoejercitaba

túejercitabas

vosotrosejercitabais

nosotrosejercitábamos

él/ella/ustedejercitaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesejercitan

yoejercito

túejercitas

vosotrosejercitáis

nosotrosejercitamos

él/ella/ustedejercita

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▼

saltar cantar bienestar

📚 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.