Inklingo
Dictionary

empeño

em-PEN-yoemˈpeɲo

“empeño” means “determination” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

determinationB1Noun

showing grit and persistence

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pawnB2Noun

leaving an item as collateral for a loan

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I pawnB2Verb

the act of giving an object for money

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determinationAlso: earnest effort, insistence

NounmB1
A small ant pushing a large leaf up a steep hill.

📝 In Action

Ella puso mucho empeño en aprender español.

A2

She put a lot of effort into learning Spanish.

Logró su objetivo gracias a su empeño constante.

B1

He achieved his goal thanks to his constant determination.

Admiro el empeño con el que trabajas todos los días.

B2

I admire the dedication with which you work every day.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • esfuerzo (effort)
  • dedicación (dedication)
  • tenacidad (tenacity)

Antonyms

  • desinterés (lack of interest)
  • abandono (neglect)

Common Collocations

  • poner empeño – to put in effort
  • con empeño – with determination
  • gran empeño – great dedication

pawnAlso: pledge

NounmB2
Mexico
A gold watch sitting on a velvet cushion inside a wooden box.

📝 In Action

Tuve que dejar mi reloj en empeño para pagar la renta.

B2

I had to leave my watch in pawn to pay the rent.

La casa de empeño está a la vuelta de la esquina.

A2

The pawn shop is around the corner.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • garantía (guarantee/collateral)
  • prenda (security/pledge)

Antonyms

  • desempeño (redemption/reclaiming)

Common Collocations

  • casa de empeño – pawn shop
  • dejar en empeño – to pawn

Idioms & Expressions

  • empeñar la palabra – To give one's word or make a solemn promise.

I pawnAlso: I insist

VerbB2regular ar
A person handing a gold ring to a clerk over a wooden counter.
gerundempeñando
past Participleempeñado
infinitiveempeñar

📝 In Action

Yo siempre empeño mis joyas en el mismo lugar.

B1

I always pawn my jewelry in the same place.

Me empeño en terminar este libro hoy mismo.

B2

I am determined to finish this book this very day.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hipotecar (to mortgage)
  • insistir (to insist)

Antonyms

  • desempeñar (to reclaim/redeem)

Common Collocations

  • empeñar mi palabra – to give my word

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoempeñara
túempeñaras
él/ella/ustedempeñara
nosotrosempeñáramos
vosotrosempeñarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesempeñaran

Present Subjunctive

yoempeñe
túempeñes
él/ella/ustedempeñe
nosotrosempeñemos
vosotrosempeñéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesempeñen

Indicative

Preterite

yoempeñé
túempeñaste
él/ella/ustedempeñó
nosotrosempeñamos
vosotrosempeñasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesempeñaron

Imperfect

yoempeñaba
túempeñabas
él/ella/ustedempeñaba
nosotrosempeñábamos
vosotrosempeñabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesempeñaban

Present

yoempeño
túempeñas
él/ella/ustedempeña
nosotrosempeñamos
vosotrosempeñáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesempeñan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "empeño" in Spanish:

earnest efforti pawn

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: empeño

Question 1 of 3

If you are working with 'mucho empeño', how are you working?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
empeñar(to pawn / to insist) — Verb
empeñado(determined / pawned) — Adjective
desempeñar(to perform / to redeem) — Verb
desempeño(performance) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
sueñopequeñodueñorisueño
📚 Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'pignus' (meaning pledge or security). In Old Spanish, 'empeñar' meant to give something as a security for a loan. Over time, the idea of 'pledging oneself' to a task led to the meaning of determination and effort.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: empenho

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'empeño' the same as 'esfuerzo'?

They are close! 'Esfuerzo' is the energy or work you exert. 'Empeño' is the persistent desire and determination to see something through.

Can 'empeño' mean a job?

No, that is a common mistake. 'Empleo' is the word for job or employment.

How do you say 'to pawn' as an action?

You use the verb 'empeñar'. For example: 'Quiero empeñar mi anillo' (I want to pawn my ring).