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How to Say "to force" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to force” is “forzar” — use 'forzar' when you are making someone do something they might not want to do, or making something happen, often against resistance or natural inclination..

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forzar

/for-SAR//foɾˈθaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'forzar' when you are making someone do something they might not want to do, or making something happen, often against resistance or natural inclination.
A small child gently pushing a large wooden toy cart that looks too heavy for them.

Examples

No puedes forzar a nadie a quererte.

You cannot force anyone to love you.

La crisis forzó al gobierno a tomar medidas.

The crisis forced the government to take measures.

The 'O' to 'UE' Change

In many present-tense forms, the 'o' in the middle of forzar changes to 'ue' when you stress it (like 'fuerzo').

Spelling Change (Z to C)

When a form ends in 'e' (like 'forcé'), the 'z' changes to 'c' to keep the soft 's/th' sound.

Don't forget the 'A'

Mistake: “Forzar él a venir.”

Correction: Forzarlo a venir. When you force someone to do an action, always use 'a' before the next verb.

obligar

/oh-blee-gar//o.βliˈɣaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'obligar' when you are compelling someone to do something, implying a sense of duty, rule, or authority, often against their will.
A child being gently but firmly guided by their parent's hand towards a bowl of broccoli on a table.

Examples

Mis padres me obligan a limpiar mi habitación todos los sábados.

My parents force me to clean my room every Saturday.

La lluvia nos obligó a quedarnos en casa.

The rain forced us to stay at home.

El contrato te obliga a trabajar cuarenta horas por semana.

The contract requires you to work forty hours per week.

The 'A' Bridge

In Spanish, 'obligar' almost always needs the word 'a' before you say the next action. It follows the pattern: Obligar + Person + A + Action.

Spelling Shift

To keep the hard 'G' sound (like in 'gold'), the letter 'g' changes to 'gu' whenever the next letter is 'e'. For example, 'I forced' is 'obligué' (not 'obligé').

The Missing 'A'

Mistake: “Me obligaron ir al médico.”

Correction: Me obligaron A ir al médico. Spanish requires the 'a' to connect 'force' to the next action.

esforzar

/es-for-sar//esforˈθar/

verbB2general
Use 'esforzar' when referring to exerting significant effort or pushing oneself or something beyond its normal limits, often physically.
A singer on a stage with their mouth wide open, hand on their throat, showing they are pushing their voice.

Examples

No debes esforzar la vista leyendo con poca luz.

You shouldn't strain your eyes reading in low light.

El cantante esforzó la voz y ahora no puede hablar.

The singer strained his voice and now he can't talk.

No 'se' required

Unlike when you 'make an effort,' when you are straining a body part, you don't use the 'se' pronoun. It's an action you do TO your eyes or voice.

violentar

verbB2general
Use 'violentar' when talking about breaking into a place, using physical force against something, or when something makes you feel uncomfortable or violated.

Examples

Esa pregunta me violenta un poco.

That question makes me feel a bit uneasy/awkward.

Forzar vs. Obligar

Learners often confuse 'forzar' and 'obligar' because both can mean making someone do something. Remember that 'obligar' implies a stronger sense of authority or obligation, while 'forzar' can simply mean to make something happen, possibly against resistance.

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