entrenar
/en-treh-NAR/
to train
Entrenar (to train): The coach is teaching the dog a new skill.
entrenar(Verb)
to train
?teaching skills or conditioning others
,to coach
?guiding a team or athlete
to drill
?repeated practice
📝 In Action
El profesor entrena a los estudiantes para el debate.
A2The teacher trains the students for the debate.
Necesitamos entrenar al perro para que no ladre tanto.
B1We need to train the dog so it doesn't bark so much.
Mi meta es entrenar un equipo campeón.
B2My goal is to coach a champion team.
💡 Grammar Points
Action on Others
This usage of 'entrenar' focuses on the action you perform on someone else (the person being trained). You need the connector 'a' before the person you are training: 'Yo entreno a María'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Coaching
When referring to a professional sports coach, 'entrenar' is the perfect verb. The person doing the action is the 'entrenador' (coach).
Entrenar (to work out): She is training her body by running.
entrenar(Verb)
to work out
?physical exercise
,to train (oneself)
?self-improvement
to practice
?preparing for an event
📝 In Action
Me entreno en el gimnasio tres veces a la semana.
A1I work out at the gym three times a week.
¿A qué hora te entrenas normalmente?
A2What time do you usually train (yourself)?
Ella se entrena muy duro para la maratón.
B1She is training very hard for the marathon.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Self' Verb
When you train yourself, you must use the reflexive form 'entrenarse' along with the corresponding pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se). This shows that the action comes back to the person doing it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the Reflexive Pronoun
Mistake: "Yo entreno cada día. (I train every day.)"
Correction: Yo me entreno cada día. (I work out every day.) The reflexive pronoun 'me' is necessary when talking about your own routine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking about Fitness
In Spanish, 'entrenarse' is often the most natural way to say 'to work out' or 'to exercise' when discussing your fitness regimen.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: entrenar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'entrenar' to mean 'I work out daily'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'entrenar' y 'practicar'?
'Entrenar' focuses on physical or mental conditioning and preparation, often with a specific goal like a race or competition. 'Practicar' is generally used for repeatedly doing an activity to improve a skill, like 'practicar la guitarra' (to practice the guitar).
When should I use 'entrenar' and when should I use 'ejercitar'?
Both mean 'to exercise,' but 'entrenar' often implies a structured, goal-oriented routine (like training for a marathon). 'Ejercitar' is a more general term for physical activity, like 'ejercitar los músculos' (to exercise the muscles).