Inklingo

How to Say "to concentrate" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to concentrate” is “concentrar” — use this general form when talking about directing attention or effort towards a task, or when something itself is the center of focus..

English → Spanish

concentrar

/kon-sen-TRAR//kon.senˈtɾaɾ/

verbA2general
Use this general form when talking about directing attention or effort towards a task, or when something itself is the center of focus.
A child intently looking through a magnifying glass at a single leaf on a wooden table.

Examples

Necesito concentrar mi energía en este proyecto.

I need to concentrate my energy on this project.

Necesito concentrarme en mi tarea para terminar pronto.

I need to focus on my homework to finish soon.

Es difícil concentrarse cuando hay mucho ruido.

It is difficult to concentrate when there is a lot of noise.

Debes concentrar toda tu energía en este proyecto.

You must focus all your energy on this project.

Using 'en' to show focus

When you want to say what you are focusing on, always use the word 'en' (on/in). For example: 'Me concentro en la música'.

Actions you do to yourself

When using this word to mean 'to focus your mind,' you must add small words like 'me,' 'te,' or 'se' before the verb because you are focusing yourself.

Missing the 'self' word

Mistake: “Yo concentro en el libro.”

Correction: Yo me concentro en el libro. (Because you are focusing yourself, you need 'me').

Using the wrong connector

Mistake: “Me concentro de mi trabajo.”

Correction: Me concentro en mi trabajo. (Always use 'en' after this word to indicate the subject of focus).

concentrarme

/kon-sen-TRAR-meh//konsenˈtɾaɾme/

verbA2general
Use this reflexive form when you are specifically talking about your own mental effort to focus your mind on something.
A person sitting at a desk with eyes closed and hands resting peacefully, surrounded by soft glowing light to represent focus.

Examples

Necesito silencio para concentrarme en mi examen.

I need silence to concentrate on my exam.

No puedo concentrarme con esa música tan alta.

I can't focus with that music so loud.

Voy a intentar concentrarme más a partir de ahora.

I'm going to try to focus more from now on.

What is the 'me' at the end?

The 'me' is a little word that shows you are doing the action to yourself. In Spanish, when you use a verb after words like 'quiero' (I want) or 'necesito' (I need), you stick that 'me' right onto the end of the base verb.

Using 'en' instead of 'on'

In English, you concentrate 'on' something. In Spanish, you always use 'en'. Think of it as concentrating 'in' the task.

Missing the 'me'

Mistake: “Necesito concentrar.”

Correction: Necesito concentrarme. If you are the one focusing, you must include the 'me' to show the action stays with you.

Reflexive vs. General Use

The most common confusion is between the general 'concentrar' and the reflexive 'concentrarme'. Remember to use the reflexive 'me', 'te', 'se', etc., when the subject is performing the action of focusing on themselves.

Related Translations

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