Inklingo

How to Say "to practice" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to practice” is “practicar” — use this word when referring to improving a skill, sport, or language through repetition and effort.

English → Spanish

practicar

prak-ti-KARprak.tiˈkaɾ

verbA2general
Use this word when referring to improving a skill, sport, or language through repetition and effort.
A young child sitting on a chair, concentrating intensely while repeatedly strumming a small acoustic guitar.

Examples

Necesitas practicar la guitarra todos los días para mejorar.

You need to practice the guitar every day to improve.

Ellos están practicando su presentación para mañana.

They are rehearsing their presentation for tomorrow.

¿Practicas algún deporte?

Do you play/practice any sport?

Spelling Change for Sound

In the preterite 'yo' form and all subjunctive forms, the 'c' changes to 'qu' (e.g., 'yo practiqué', 'que yo practique'). This is only to keep the hard 'k' sound.

Confusing 'Practicar' and 'Tocar'

Mistake: “Using 'tocar' for practicing a sport or skill (e.g., *tocar fútbol*).”

Correction: Use 'practicar' for skills/sports ('practicar fútbol'). Use 'tocar' only for playing musical instruments or touching objects.

entrenar

en-treh-NARentɾeˈnaɾ

verbA1general
This is the best translation for 'to practice' when it means to train or work out, especially in a physical context like sports or fitness.
A cheerful person wearing athletic clothes is jogging outdoors on a sunny path.

Examples

Me entreno en el gimnasio tres veces a la semana.

I work out at the gym three times a week.

¿A qué hora te entrenas normalmente?

What time do you usually train (yourself)?

Ella se entrena muy duro para la maratón.

She is training very hard for the marathon.

The 'Self' Verb

When you train yourself, you must use the reflexive form 'entrenarse' along with the corresponding pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se). This shows that the action comes back to the person doing it.

Missing the Reflexive Pronoun

Mistake: “Yo entreno cada día. (I train every day.)”

Correction: Yo me entreno cada día. (I work out every day.) The reflexive pronoun 'me' is necessary when talking about your own routine.

ensayar

en-sah-YARen.saˈʝar

verbA2general
Use this word when you are practicing a specific performance or routine, like a play, a musical piece, or a dance before an event.
A young girl playing a violin on a small wooden stage with a music stand.

Examples

La banda tiene que ensayar para el concierto de mañana.

The band has to rehearse for tomorrow's concert.

He estado ensayando mi discurso toda la tarde.

I have been practicing my speech all afternoon.

Regular -ar Pattern

This verb follows the standard rules for verbs ending in -ar, so once you know the pattern, you can conjugate it easily!

Ensayar vs. Practicar

Mistake: “Using 'practicar' for a theater rehearsal.”

Correction: Use 'ensayar' for performances (plays, music) and 'practicar' for sports or general skills.

ejercitar

e-her-see-TARexersiˈtar

verbA2general
This verb is used for practicing mental skills or physical exercises to strengthen or improve something, like muscles or the mind.
A person lifting a heavy barbell in a simple gym setting.

Examples

Es importante ejercitar los músculos de la espalda.

It is important to exercise the back muscles.

Debes ejercitar la mente leyendo libros difíciles.

You should exercise your mind by reading difficult books.

El atleta ejercita su resistencia corriendo cada mañana.

The athlete trains his endurance by running every morning.

El ciudadano tiene el deber de ejercitar su derecho al voto.

The citizen has the duty to exercise their right to vote.

Using 'ejercitar' vs 'ejercitarse'

Use 'ejercitar' when you are working out a specific thing (like 'my legs'). Use 'ejercitarse' when you just want to say 'I am working out' in general.

Always Regular

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, so it is easy to conjugate if you know the basic rules!

Ejercitar vs Ejercer

While very similar, 'ejercitar' often implies the actual repeated practice or training, while 'ejercer' is more common for simply holding power or having a job title.

Direct objects

Mistake: “Yo ejercito cada mañana.”

Correction: Yo me ejercito cada mañana (or) Yo hago ejercicio cada mañana. 'Ejercitar' usually needs to say *what* you are exercising.

ejercer

e-her-serexerˈθer

verbB1formal
Choose this translation when referring to the active practice of a profession or a right, like law, medicine, or voting.
A doctor in a white coat with a stethoscope around their neck.

Examples

Ella es abogada, pero no ejerce actualmente.

She is a lawyer, but she isn't practicing currently.

Para ejercer como médico en este país, necesitas convalidar tu título.

To practice as a doctor in this country, you need to validate your degree.

Mi abuelo ejerció la docencia durante más de cuarenta años.

My grandfather worked as a teacher for over forty years.

The 'Como' Connection

When you want to say someone is working 'as' a professional, use 'ejercer como' followed by the job title.

Spelling Shift

To keep the soft 's' sound, the 'c' changes to 'z' whenever the ending starts with 'o' or 'a'. For example: 'yo ejerzo' (I practice).

Practicar vs. Ejercer

Mistake: “Practico la abogacía.”

Correction: Ejerzo la abogacía. Use 'ejercer' for official licensed professions; 'practicar' is for sports or hobbies.

Practicar vs. Ejercer

The most common confusion is between 'practicar' and 'ejercer'. Remember that 'practicar' is for skills, sports, and languages, while 'ejercer' is specifically for actively working in a profession or carrying out a right.

Related Translations

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