esforzarse

to make an effort

esforzarse(ehs-fohr-sahr-seh)

pronominal verb

1. (to put in effort)

a. to make an effort

Estos jóvenes se esfuerzan mucho para asegurar la seguridad de su barrio.

These young people make a great effort to keep their neighborhood safe.

b. to try hard

Tendrás que esforzarte más si quieres llegar a ser médica.

You'll have to try harder if you want to be a doctor.

c. to exert oneself

No deberías esforzarte tanto; tienes que recuperarte.

You shouldn't exert yourself so much; you need to recover.

d. to strive

El nadador se esforzaba por nadar más rápido cada día.

The swimmer strove to swim faster every day.

esforzar

transitive verb

2. (to exert)

a. to strain

Tuve que esforzar la vista para leer la letra pequeña.

I had to strain my eyes to read the small print.

3. (to give force to)

a. to strengthen

Los nuevos datos ayudaron a esforzar la opinión pública.

The new data helped to strengthen public opinion.

esforzar

transitive verb

1. (voz, vista)

a. to strain

tuve que esforzar la vozI had to strain my voice

pronominal verb

2. (general)

a. to make an effort

tienes que esforzarte más si quieres aprobaryou'll have to make more of an effort if you want to pass

nos esforzamos, pero fue imposible ganarloswe tried very hard, but they were impossible to beat

no te esfuerces, no puede oírtedon't bother (shouting), she can't hear you

esforzarse en o por hacer algoto try very hard to do something, to do one's best to do something

Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited

esforzar

transitive verb

[+voz] to strain

no esfuerces la vista don't strain your eyes

pronominal verb

esforzarse to exert o.s.; make an effort

hay que esforzarse más you must try harder; you must make more effort; esforzarse en o por conseguir algo to struggle o strive to achieve sth