esfuerzo
/esˈfweɾθo/masculine
The Spanish word for effort is esfuerzo. If unsure, use esfuerzo. Wiktionary also lists ahínco.
Meaning: the amount of work involved in achieving something (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| esfuerzo | /esˈfweɾθo/ /esˈfweɾso/ |
masculine |
| ahínco | /aˈinko/ | masculine |
Esfuerzo is the standard noun used to describe the amount of work involved in achieving something. To say "to make an effort", you typically use the phrase hacer un esfuerzo. If you want to say you are giving it your all, you can use the idiom echar el alma.
Which one should you use?
While esfuerzo is the standard term, ahínco is a more formal word used specifically to describe intense, dedicated or zealous effort, often translated as zeal or eagerness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Jalar is an informal term used in Mexico and some Latin American countries to mean to work or to put in effort.
How does it change in a sentence?
Esfuerzo is a masculine noun. Its plural form is esfuerzos.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈfweɾθo/
Did you know?
- The word esfuerzo is a direct cognate of the English word 'effort'. Both share a common ancestor in the Latin word 'fortia' which referred to 'heroic actions'.
- The formal word ahínco is derived from the verb ahincar, which originally meant to drive something in or to fix something firmly.
- The term ahínco is so formal and intense that using it in a casual conversation about a simple task might actually sound slightly poetic or overly dramatic.
Examples in context
- Su esfuerzo dará fruto.His effort will bear fruit.This sentence shows how to use esfuerzo to describe work bearing fruit.Tatoeba #6864240 by albrusgher, translation #287228 by CM
- Gracias por el esfuerzo.Thanks for the effort.This sentence is a way to express gratitude for an esfuerzo.Tatoeba #1661505 by hayastan, translation #4629024 by Theocracy
- Fue un esfuerzo colectivo.It was a group effort.This sentence illustrates the use of esfuerzo when describing a collective or group task.Tatoeba #3518998 by teskmon, translation #3518551 by CK
- Puso mucho esfuerzo en completar el proyectoHe/she put a lot of effort into completing the project
- Logró sus metas gracias a su trabajo duroHe/she achieved his/her goals thanks to his/her hard work
- Siguió trabajando con empeño a pesar de los obstáculosHe/she continued working with effort despite the obstacles
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a difficult project at work.
- MateoTu esfuerzo en este proyecto ha sido increíble.Your effort in this project has been incredible.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, pero todavía queda mucho trabajo.Thank you, Mateo, but there is still a lot of work left.
- MateoValoro mucho cada esfuerzo que haces.I really value every effort you make.
- LucíaEspero que el resultado final sea bueno.I hope the final result is good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “effort” translations and entries esfuerzo, ahínco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahínco, esfuerzo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
