entrenar
/entɾeˈnaɾ/
To train in Spanish is entrenar.
Entrenar is used to describe practicing a sport or exercising to improve physical fitness or a specific skill. It can be used transitively, such as when you train someone or an animal or intransitively, such as when you are training yourself or practicing a routine. The related noun entrenamiento refers to a training session or a workout.
Which one should you use?
While entrenar is the standard term for sports and skill-based training, you might use ejercitar if you are specifically referring to physical exercises or the practice of a particular faculty, such as the memory.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, entrenar is the most common way to say 'to train', though you may also encounter formar or adiestrar depending on the context. In many Latin American countries, capacitar is a widely used verb for the English 'to train'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Entrenar is a regular -ar verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/entɾeˈnaɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb entrenar actually shares a distant root with the English word 'drag'. This is because its French ancestor originally meant to 'drag along' or 'pull' before evolving into the modern sense of 'training'.
- In Spain, the word adiestrar is specifically used when training animals or people in a very technical, disciplined skill, as it comes from the word diestra meaning 'dexterous'.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué son los perros más fáciles de entrenar que los gatos?Why are dogs easier to train than cats?This sentence uses entrenar to compare the ease of training different animals.Tatoeba #6823029 by arh, translation #6822386 by CK
- Es necesario entrenar a los nuevos empleados para mejorar su rendimiento laboral.It is necessary to train new employees to improve their work performance.
- La empresa capacitará a sus empleados en técnicas de ventas.The company will train its employees in sales techniques.
- El profesor instruirá a los estudiantes en el uso de las nuevas herramientas.The teacher will train the students on the use of the new tools.
- Mis padres me han formado como una persona responsable y comprometida.My parents have trained me to be a responsible and committed person.
- Vamos a capacitar a nuestros colaboradores en técnicas de atención al cliente.We are going to train our employees in customer service techniques.
- Ella tiene que entrenar todos los días.She has to train every day.
- ¿A qué hora vas a entrenar hoy?What time are you going to train today?
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about their fitness goals.
- Sofía¿Quieres entrenar conmigo mañana?Do you want to train with me tomorrow?
- AlejandroSí, me gustaría mucho, Sofía.Yes, I would like that a lot, Sofía.
- SofíaPerfecto, nos vemos a las siete.Perfect, I'll see you at seven.
- AlejandroDe acuerdo, allí estaré, Alejandro.Alright, I'll be there, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry entrenar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries entrenar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
