Enflaquecer Conjugation in Spanish
enflaquecer means "to lose weight, to become thin" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the doctor's diet, the illness in hospital, work in the fields and the summer. This page gives you the complete conjugation of enflaquecer in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. enflaquecer is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico. — "Every day, I lose weight on the doctor's diet." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: enflaquecer
- English: to lose weight, to become thin
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: enflaqueciendo
- Past participle: enflaquecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + enflaquecido)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of enflaquecer with all six persons. The gerund is enflaqueciendo and the past participle is enflaquecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enflaquezco |
| tú | enflaqueces |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaquece |
| nosotros/as | enflaquecemos |
| vosotros/as | enflaquecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enflaquecí |
| tú | enflaqueciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaqueció |
| nosotros/as | enflaquecimos |
| vosotros/as | enflaquecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enflaquecía |
| tú | enflaquecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaquecía |
| nosotros/as | enflaquecíamos |
| vosotros/as | enflaquecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enflaqueceré |
| tú | enflaquecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaquecerá |
| nosotros/as | enflaqueceremos |
| vosotros/as | enflaqueceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enflaquecería |
| tú | enflaquecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaquecería |
| nosotros/as | enflaqueceríamos |
| vosotros/as | enflaqueceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he enflaquecido |
| tú | has enflaquecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha enflaquecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos enflaquecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis enflaquecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han enflaquecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había enflaquecido |
| tú | habías enflaquecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había enflaquecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos enflaquecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais enflaquecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían enflaquecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré enflaquecido |
| tú | habrás enflaquecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá enflaquecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos enflaquecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis enflaquecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán enflaquecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría enflaquecido |
| tú | habrías enflaquecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría enflaquecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos enflaquecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais enflaquecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían enflaquecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enflaquezca |
| tú | enflaquezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaquezca |
| nosotros/as | enflaquezcamos |
| vosotros/as | enflaquecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enflaqueciera |
| tú | enflaquecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaqueciera |
| nosotros/as | enflaqueciéramos |
| vosotros/as | enflaquecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | enflaquece |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaquezca |
| nosotros/as | enflaquezcamos |
| vosotros/as | enflaqueced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | enflaquezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | enflaquezca |
| nosotros/as | enflaquezcamos |
| vosotros/as | enflaquecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enflaquezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about enflaquecer in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of enflaquecer is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico. — "Every day, I lose weight on the doctor's diet." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enflaquezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enflaquezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of enflaquecer is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo enflaquecí por la enfermedad en el hospital. — "Yesterday, I lost weight from the illness in hospital." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of enflaquecer is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo enflaquecía con el trabajo en el campo. — "In the past, I used to lose weight with work in the fields." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of enflaquecer is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros enflaqueceremos después del verano. — "Tomorrow, we will lose weight after the summer." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of enflaquecer is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú enflaquecerías con la dieta del médico. — "If you could, you would lose weight on the doctor's diet." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of enflaquecer is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he enflaquecido por la enfermedad en el hospital. — "I have lost weight from the illness in hospital." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of enflaquecer is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había enflaquecido con el trabajo en el campo. — "Before the party, I had lost weight with work in the fields." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of enflaquecer is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré enflaquecido después del verano. — "By tomorrow, I will have lost weight after the summer." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of enflaquecer is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría enflaquecido con la dieta del médico. — "If I had been able to, I would have lost weight on the doctor's diet." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of enflaquecer is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él enflaquezca por la enfermedad en el hospital. — "I hope that he/she loses weight from the illness in hospital." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enflaquezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enflaquezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of enflaquecer is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él enflaqueciera con el trabajo en el campo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she lost weight with work in the fields, everything would turn out better." For enflaquecer this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enflaquec- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of enflaquecer is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Enflaquece después del verano! — "Lose weight after the summer!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enflaquezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enflaquezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of enflaquecer is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No enflaquezcas con la dieta del médico. — "Do not lose weight on the doctor's diet." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enflaquezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enflaquezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: enflaquecer in real sentences
Ten sentences with enflaquecer, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico. — "Every day, I lose weight on the doctor's diet." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo enflaquecí por la enfermedad en el hospital. — "Yesterday, I lost weight from the illness in hospital." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo enflaquecía con el trabajo en el campo. — "In the past, I used to lose weight with work in the fields." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros enflaqueceremos después del verano. — "Tomorrow, we will lose weight after the summer." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú enflaquecerías con la dieta del médico. — "If you could, you would lose weight on the doctor's diet." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he enflaquecido por la enfermedad en el hospital. — "I have lost weight from the illness in hospital." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él enflaquezca con el trabajo en el campo. — "I hope that he/she loses weight with work in the fields." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él enflaqueciera después del verano, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she lost weight after the summer, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Enflaquece con la dieta del médico! — "Lose weight on the doctor's diet!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy enflaqueciendo por la enfermedad en el hospital. — "Now, I am losing weight from the illness in hospital." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with enflaquecer
The errors learners actually make with enflaquecer, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me enflaquezco con la dieta del médico.
- Right: Yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico.
- Why: enflaquecer is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo enflaqueco con la dieta del médico.
- Right: Yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is enflaquezco, never enflaqueco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (enflaquezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo enflaquezco por la enfermedad en el hospital.
- Right: Ayer, yo enflaquecí por la enfermedad en el hospital.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo enflaquecí por la enfermedad en el hospital. — "Yesterday, I lost weight from the illness in hospital."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy enflaquecido con el trabajo en el campo.
- Right: Estoy enflaqueciendo con el trabajo en el campo.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund enflaqueciendo for the progressive. The participle enflaquecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he enflaquecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros enflaquece con la dieta del médico.
- Right: Nosotros enflaquecemos con la dieta del médico.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes enflaquecemos, while enflaquece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: enflaquecer conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on enflaquecer. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of enflaquecer in the present tense?
- (a) enflaquece
- (b) enflaquecemos
- (c) enflaquezco
- (d) enflaqueces
Answer: (c) enflaquezco. The yo form is enflaquezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of enflaquecer in the present tense?
- (a) enflaquecemos
- (b) enflaqueces
- (c) enflaquezco
- (d) enflaquece
Answer: (b) enflaqueces. The tú form is enflaqueces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of enflaquecer in the present tense?
- (a) enflaquece
- (b) enflaquezco
- (c) enflaqueces
- (d) enflaquecemos
Answer: (a) enflaquece. The él/ella form is enflaquece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of enflaquecer in the present tense?
- (a) enflaquezco
- (b) enflaqueces
- (c) enflaquece
- (d) enflaquecemos
Answer: (d) enflaquecemos. The nosotros form is enflaquecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of enflaquecer in the present tense?
- (a) enflaqueces
- (b) enflaquece
- (c) enflaquecen
- (d) enflaquezco
Answer: (c) enflaquecen. The ellos/ellas form is enflaquecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of enflaquecer?
- (a) enflaquezco
- (b) enflaquecer
- (c) enflaqueciendo
- (d) enflaquecido
Answer: (c) enflaqueciendo. The gerund is enflaqueciendo, used for the progressive: estoy enflaqueciendo.
7. What is the past participle of enflaquecer?
- (a) enflaquecer
- (b) enflaquecido
- (c) enflaqueciendo
- (d) enflaquecí
Answer: (b) enflaquecido. The past participle is enflaquecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he enflaquecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ con la dieta del médico.
- (a) enflaquezco
- (b) enflaqueces
- (c) enflaquece
- (d) enflaquecemos
Answer: (a) enflaquezco. The sentence needs the yo form enflaquezco (Every day, I lose weight on the doctor's diet.)
9. What is the yo form of enflaquecer in the preterite?
- (a) enflaqueciste
- (b) enflaqueció
- (c) enflaquecimos
- (d) enflaquecí
Answer: (d) enflaquecí. The yo preterite is enflaquecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ con el trabajo en el campo.
- (a) enflaquecáis
- (b) enflaquezca
- (c) enflaquezcas
- (d) enflaquezcamos
Answer: (b) enflaquezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is enflaquezca.
Frequently asked questions about enflaquecer
Is enflaquecer regular?
Almost. enflaquecer is a spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enflaquezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enflaquezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does enflaquecer mean, and when do I use it?
enflaquecer means "to lose weight, to become thin" in English. Use it when you talk about the doctor's diet, the illness in hospital, work in the fields and the summer — for example: Yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico. — "I lose weight on the doctor's diet." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico. — "I lose weight on the doctor's diet." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of enflaquecer?
No. enflaquecer is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico. — "I lose weight on the doctor's diet." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with enflaquecer?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo enflaquezco con la dieta del médico. — "I lose weight on the doctor's diet." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo enflaquecí con la dieta del médico. — "Yesterday, I lost weight on the doctor's diet." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.