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enriquecer

en-ree-keh-SEHRenrikeˈseɾ

“enriquecer” means “to enrich” in Spanish (to make someone or something wealthy or more valuable).

to enrich

Also: to make rich, to enhance
VerbB1irregular er
Spain
A wooden chest overflowing with shiny gold coins and colorful sparkling jewels.
gerundenriqueciendo
past Participleenriquecido
infinitiveenriquecer

📝 In Action

El comercio puede enriquecer a una nación pequeña.

B1

Trade can enrich a small nation.

Quiero enriquecer mi vocabulario leyendo más libros.

B1

I want to enrich my vocabulary by reading more books.

Esta crema ayuda a enriquecer la piel seca.

B2

This cream helps to nourish (enrich) dry skin.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • empobrecer (to impoverish/make poor)
  • agotar (to exhaust/drain)

Common Collocations

  • enriquecer el alma – to enrich the soul
  • enriquecer la experiencia – to enrich the experience
  • enriquecer la tierra – to enrich/fertilize the soil

Idioms & Expressions

  • enriquecerse a costa de otros – to get rich by taking advantage of others

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoenriqueciera
túenriquecieras
él/ella/ustedenriqueciera
nosotrosenriqueciéramos
vosotrosenriquecierais
ellos/ellas/ustedesenriquecieran

Present Subjunctive

yoenriquezca
túenriquezcas
él/ella/ustedenriquezca
nosotrosenriquezcamos
vosotrosenriquezcáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesenriquezcan

Indicative

Preterite

yoenriquecí
túenriqueciste
él/ella/ustedenriqueció
nosotrosenriquecimos
vosotrosenriquecisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesenriquecieron

Imperfect

yoenriquecía
túenriquecías
él/ella/ustedenriquecía
nosotrosenriquecíamos
vosotrosenriquecíais
ellos/ellas/ustedesenriquecían

Present

yoenriquezco
túenriqueces
él/ella/ustedenriquece
nosotrosenriquecemos
vosotrosenriquecéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesenriquecen
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "enriquecer" in Spanish:

to enhance→to enrich→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: enriquecer

Question 1 of 3

What is the 'yo' (I) form of 'enriquecer' in the present tense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
riqueza(wealth) — Noun
rico(rich) — Adjective
enriquecimiento(enrichment) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish prefix 'en-' (to put into) combined with 'rico' (rich) and the ending '-ecer' (indicating a process or change).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: enrichirItalian: arricchire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'enriquecer' a formal word?

It is slightly more formal than 'hacer rico', but it is used very often in educational and professional settings.

What is the difference between 'enriquecer' and 'mejorar'?

'Mejorar' means to make better, while 'enriquecer' implies adding something valuable or substantial to make it 'richer' in quality.

Does this word follow the same pattern as 'conocer'?

Yes! Both verbs have that special 'zc' change in the 'yo' form and in the subjunctive forms.