Inklingo

especializar

es-peh-syah-lee-SAR/espeθjaliˈθaɾ/

especializar means to specialize in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to specialize

Also: to major in
VerbB1regular with spelling change ar
A surgeon carefully holding a specialized medical tool in a clean environment.
gerundespecializando
past Participleespecializado
infinitiveespecializar

📝 In Action

Ella decidió especializarse en medicina deportiva.

B1

She decided to specialize in sports medicine.

Es mejor especializarse para conseguir un mejor empleo.

B1

It is better to specialize to get a better job.

Nuestra empresa se especializa en software educativo.

B2

Our company specializes in educational software.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • profundizar (to go deep into)
  • perfeccionarse (to perfect oneself)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • especializarse ento specialize in
  • curso para especializarspecialization course

to tailor/design

VerbB2regular arformal
A carpenter crafting a unique, custom-shaped wooden chair for a specific person.
gerundespecializando
past Participleespecializado
infinitiveespecializar

📝 In Action

Queremos especializar nuestra oferta para el mercado joven.

B2

We want to tailor our offer for the young market.

El hospital decidió especializar una planta en pediatría.

C1

The hospital decided to dedicate a floor specifically to pediatrics.

Es necesario especializar al personal para manejar la nueva máquina.

C1

It is necessary to give the staff specialized training to operate the new machine.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • especializar la producciónto specialize production

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesespecializaran
yoespecializara
especializaras
vosotrosespecializarais
nosotrosespecializáramos
él/ella/ustedespecializara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesespecialicen
yoespecialice
especialices
vosotrosespecialicéis
nosotrosespecialicemos
él/ella/ustedespecialice

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesespecializaron
yoespecialicé
especializaste
vosotrosespecializasteis
nosotrosespecializamos
él/ella/ustedespecializó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesespecializaban
yoespecializaba
especializabas
vosotrosespecializabais
nosotrosespecializábamos
él/ella/ustedespecializaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesespecializan
yoespecializo
especializas
vosotrosespecializáis
nosotrosespecializamos
él/ella/ustedespecializa

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "especializar" in Spanish:

to specialize

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: especializar

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I specialized' (past tense) in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'specialis', meaning 'individual' or 'particular'. It entered Spanish to describe the process of making something specific or focusing on one part of a whole.

First recorded: 19th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: spécialiserEnglish: specialize

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'especializar' always reflexive?

No. Use 'especializarse' (with me/te/se) when talking about yourself or someone focusing their studies. Use 'especializar' alone when a company is focusing its products or training its staff.

What is the difference between 'especialista' and 'especializado'?

An 'especialista' is the person (the specialist), while 'especializado' is an adjective used to describe something that is specialized, like a 'hospital especializado'.

Can I use 'especializar' for hobbies?

You can, but it sounds very formal. For hobbies, people usually just say 'me gusta mucho' or 'soy experto en'.