Inklingo

How to Say "enjoy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

disfruten

dees-FROO-ten/disˈfɾuten/

verbA2informal
Use this form when you are commanding or requesting a group of people (ustedes) to enjoy something.
A colorful storybook illustration showing three friends sitting together on a bright blanket in a sunny park, laughing and enjoying a picnic lunch.

Examples

¡Pasen y disfruten de la fiesta!

Come in and enjoy the party!

Espero que disfruten mucho sus vacaciones.

I hope that you (all, formal) enjoy your vacation very much.

El guía recomienda que ellos disfruten la vista desde aquí.

The guide recommends that they enjoy the view from here.

The Special Sound of -EN

When you see an -AR verb like 'disfrutar' end in -en, it means you are telling a group of people (ustedes) what to do, or you are expressing a wish/doubt about what they do.

Formal Group Command (Ustedes)

This form is the polite way to give a command to two or more people. It's like saying 'You all, enjoy!' in a respectful way. Example: 'Disfruten la película'.

Confusing Command Forms

Mistake: “Using *disfrutan* (the regular present tense) when giving a command to a group: 'Disfrutan el viaje.'”

Correction: The command form requires the special ending: '¡Disfruten el viaje!' (Use the -en ending for formal plural commands.)

disfrute

dis-FROO-teh/disˈfɾute/

verbB1formal
Use this form as a formal command or wish directed at a single person (usted) to enjoy something.
An illustration showing a server wearing a crisp apron setting a plate of delicious cake down in front of a seated patron, illustrating the command to 'enjoy.'

Examples

¡Que disfrute su comida!

Enjoy your meal! (Formal way of saying it, wishing you enjoyment)

Espero que yo disfrute el concierto más que la última vez.

I hope that I enjoy the concert more than last time.

No creo que él disfrute trabajar tan tarde.

I don't think he enjoys working so late.

The Formal Command

When you want to give a polite command to an adult (using 'usted'), you use this form: 'Disfrute el día' means 'Enjoy the day!'

Subjunctive Mood

This form ('disfrute') is also used after expressions of hope, doubt, or desire, especially when the subject of the enjoying is different from the subject of the main action. (e.g., 'Quiero que él disfrute').

Mixing up Commands

Mistake: “Using 'Disfruta' when speaking formally to a stranger.”

Correction: The simple command ('tú' form) is 'disfruta'. For formal situations ('usted'), use 'disfrute'.

Formality and Plural vs. Singular

The most common mistake is confusing 'disfrute' (formal singular 'you') with 'disfruten' (plural 'you', both formal and informal). Always consider if you're speaking to one person formally or a group.

Related Translations

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