How to Say "to enroll" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to enroll” is “inscribir” — use 'inscribir' when you are officially signing someone up for a course, a group, or an institution like a school or a club, often implying a formal registration process.
Use 'inscribir' when you are officially signing someone up for a course, a group, or an institution like a school or a club, often implying a formal registration process.
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Choose 'apuntar' when you are signing yourself or someone else up for a specific activity, event, or a place like a gym or a class, often with a less formal connotation than 'inscribir'.
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Use 'alistar' when referring to putting people on an official list or roster, especially in a military or recruitment context, signifying preparation and listing.
Learn more →een-skree-BEERinskɾiˈβiɾ
Examples
Tengo que inscribir a mi hijo en la escuela.
I have to enroll my son in school.
Me voy a inscribir en el curso de cocina.
I'm going to sign myself up for the cooking course.
Ellos inscribieron a su equipo en el torneo.
They registered their team in the tournament.
Doing it yourself with 'se'
If you are signing yourself up, you must add 'me', 'te', or 'se' to the word (inscribirse). Example: 'Me inscribo' means 'I sign myself up'.
The tricky past form
Unlike most '-ir' verbs that end in '-ido' for past actions, this one is special. Use 'inscrito' (registered) instead of 'inscribido'.
The 'Inscribido' Trap
Mistake: “He inscribido a mi hija.”
Correction: He inscrito a mi hija. (Always use 'inscrito' as the past form that describes a state or a completed action).
ah-poon-TAHRapunˈtaɾ
Examples
Me voy a apuntar al gimnasio mañana.
I'm going to sign up for the gym tomorrow.
¿Quién se apunta a la excursión?
Who is up for the excursion?
Se apuntaron a un curso de cocina española.
They enrolled in a Spanish cooking course.
The 'se' for signing up
When you are joining an activity yourself, you must use the word 'se' (me, te, se, nos, os, se). For example: 'Me apunto'.
Forgetting the 'se'
Mistake: “Saying 'Apunto al curso' to mean you are joining.”
Correction: Say 'Me apunto al curso'. Without 'me', it sounds like you are writing the course down on a list, not joining it.
ah-lee-STARalisˈtaɾ
Examples
El gobierno alistó a miles de reclutas.
The government enlisted thousands of recruits.
Lo alistaron en el equipo de fútbol local.
They enrolled him in the local soccer team.
Formal Contexts
This meaning refers to adding a name to a list (a 'lista'), which is where the word comes from.
Inscribir vs. Apuntar
Learners often confuse 'inscribir' and 'apuntar' because both involve signing up. Remember that 'inscribir' is typically for more formal, institutional enrollments (like school), while 'apuntar' is for less formal sign-ups for activities or services (like a gym or a workshop).
Related Translations
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