vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Ejercer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to practice", and "ejercitar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to practice". Learn more about the difference between "ejercer" and "ejercitar" below.
ejercer()
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to practice (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Desde cuando ejerces la medicina?How long have you been practicing medicine?
b. to practise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Juan empezó a ejercer la abogacía hace cinco años.Juan started practising law five years ago.
a. to exercise
Quiere ejercer poder sobre el pueblo, pero no tiene legitimidad.He wants to exercise power over the people, but he has no legitimacy.
b. to exert
Intentaron ejercer influencia sobre el director para que contratara a su nieto.They tried to exert influence on the director to get their grandson hired.
a. to exercise
La única forma en que perderíamos es si los ciudadanos no ejercen su derecho al voto.The only way we would lose is if the citizens fail to exercise their right to vote.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to practice (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Ángel es un ingeniero, pero no ejerce.Angel is an engineer, but he isn't practicing.
b. to practise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mi hija es médica. - ¿En dónde ejerce?My daughter is a doctor. - Where does she practise?
ejercitar()
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to work in)
a. to practice (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Marta estudió enfermería, pero no ha llegado a ejercitar su profesión.Marta studied nursing, but she has not practiced her profession yet.
b. to practise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Manuel lleva ejercitando como médico dos décadas.Manuel has been practising as a doctor for two decades.
a. to exercise
Los ciudadanos ejercitaron su derecho a manifestarse ayer.Yesterday the citizens exercised their right to demonstrate.
a. to exercise
En la residencia los ancianos tienen actividades para ejercitar las habilidades cognitivas.In the home for the elderly they have activities for exercising one's cognitive skills.
b. to drill
Ejercito a mis alumnos en el uso del compás en la clase de plástica.I drill my students in the use the compass in my art class.
c. to train
Los vaqueros ejercitaron a los caballos antes del rodeo.The cowboys trained the horses before the rodeo.
a. to exercise
Esta rutina es muy bueno para ejercitar los cuádriceps.This routine is a great way to exercise your quadriceps.
ejercitarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to exercise
Tendrás que ejercitarte y comer sano si quieres adelgazar.You will have to exercise and eat healthy if you want to lose weight.
b. to train
El fisioterapeuta me aconsejó ejercitarme para ganar masa muscular.The physiotherapist advised me to train in order to build muscle mass.
c. to drill
En la escuela militar los soldados se ejercitan varias horas al día.In the military school soldiers train for several hours a day.
6. (to work)
a. to practice (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Ejercitarme como médico es un sueño hecho realidad para mí.Practicing as a doctor is a dream come true for me.
b. to practise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mi hermano quiere ejercitarse como abogado desde hace años.My brother has been wanting to practise as a lawyer for many years.
