esforzarse
/esfoɾθaɾse/from spelling rules
To try hard in Spanish is esforzarse.
The phrase means to put a lot of effort and energy into achieving a goal. You can also use the expression darlo todo to mean 'to give it all', or dar el máximo to mean 'to give the maximum'. If you want to say someone needs to 'buckle down', you can use ponerse las pilas.
Which one should you use?
You can use Esforzarse al máximo to specifically mean 'to try one's hardest' or 'to make every effort'. Another way to express this is Poner todo el empeño, which translates to 'to put all one's effort' or 'to give it one's all'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Esforzarse is a reflexive verb, which means it must be used with reflexive pronouns such as me, te, se, nos or os. For example, the first-person singular present tense ('I try hard') is me esfuerzo and the third-person singular present tense ('he/she tries hard') is se esfuerza.
How do you pronounce it?
/esfoɾθaɾse/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, you might hear someone say they are echándole ganas to express trying hard, which literally translates to 'throwing desire/will' into a task.
- The word empeño, used in poner todo el empeño, can also mean a 'pledge' or an 'item left in pawn' in a financial context.
- While 'try hard' is often a compliment in English, telling someone in Spanish to ponerse las pilas can sound like a reprimand, implying they are being lazy and need to 'put in their batteries'.
Examples in context
- El equipo se esforzó al máximo durante el torneoThe team tried their hardest during the tournament
- Aunque el proyecto era complicado, puso todo el empeño en sacarlo adelanteEven though the project was challenging, he/she put all their effort into moving it forward
- Mi hermano siempre se esfuerza mucho en los exámenesMy brother always tries hard on exams
- Tienes que esforzarte más para aprobar el examen.You have to try harder to pass the exam.
- Ella decidió esforzarse para ganar el torneo.She decided to try hard to win the tournament.
- Él quiere esforzarse más en su nuevo trabajo.He wants to try harder in his new job.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are talking about a difficult project.
- AlejandroEste proyecto es muy difícil, Elena.This project is very difficult, Elena.
- ElenaSí, pero debemos esforzarse para terminarlo.Yes, but we must try hard to finish it.
- AlejandroTienes razón, no podemos rendirnos ahora.You're right, we can't give up now.
- Elena¡Exacto! Vamos a trabajar juntos.Exactly! Let's work together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry esforzarse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
