Enternecerse Conjugation in Spanish
enternecerse means "to be moved" in English, and it comes up when people talk about his daughter's letter, seeing the baby in the cradle, his mother's song and the child's gesture. This page gives you the complete conjugation of enternecerse 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. enternecerse is a Reflexive 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 me enternezco con la carta de su hija. — "Every day, I be moved at his daughter's letter." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: enternecerse
- English: to be moved
- Verb type: Reflexive spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: enterneciendo
- Past participle: enternecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + enternecido)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of enternecerse with all six persons. The gerund is enterneciendo and the past participle is enternecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enternezco |
| tú | enterneces |
| él/ella/Ud. | enternece |
| nosotros/as | enternecemos |
| vosotros/as | enternecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enternecí |
| tú | enterneciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | enterneció |
| nosotros/as | enternecimos |
| vosotros/as | enternecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enternecía |
| tú | enternecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | enternecía |
| nosotros/as | enternecíamos |
| vosotros/as | enternecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enterneceré |
| tú | enternecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | enternecerá |
| nosotros/as | enterneceremos |
| vosotros/as | enterneceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enternecería |
| tú | enternecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | enternecería |
| nosotros/as | enterneceríamos |
| vosotros/as | enterneceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he enternecido |
| tú | has enternecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha enternecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos enternecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis enternecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han enternecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había enternecido |
| tú | habías enternecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había enternecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos enternecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais enternecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían enternecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré enternecido |
| tú | habrás enternecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá enternecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos enternecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis enternecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán enternecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría enternecido |
| tú | habrías enternecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría enternecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos enternecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais enternecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían enternecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enternezca |
| tú | enternezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | enternezca |
| nosotros/as | enternezcamos |
| vosotros/as | enternecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | enterneciera |
| tú | enternecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | enterneciera |
| nosotros/as | enterneciéramos |
| vosotros/as | enternecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | enternece |
| él/ella/Ud. | enternezca |
| nosotros/as | enternezcamos |
| vosotros/as | enterneced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | enternezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | enternezca |
| nosotros/as | enternezcamos |
| vosotros/as | enternecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | enternezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about enternecerse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of enternecerse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me enternezco con la carta de su hija. — "Every day, I be moved at his daughter's letter." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enternezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enternezca. 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 enternecerse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me enternecí al ver al bebé en la cuna. — "Yesterday, I was moved on seeing the baby in the cradle." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me enternecía con la canción de su madre. — "In the past, I used to be moved at his mother's song." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos enterneceremos ante el gesto del niño. — "Tomorrow, we will be moved at the child's gesture." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te enternecerías con la carta de su hija. — "If you could, you would be moved at his daughter's letter." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he enternecido al ver al bebé en la cuna. — "I have been moved on seeing the baby in the cradle." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había enternecido con la canción de su madre. — "Before the party, I had been moved at his mother's song." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré enternecido ante el gesto del niño. — "By tomorrow, I will have been moved at the child's gesture." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría enternecido con la carta de su hija. — "If I had been able to, I would have been moved at his daughter's letter." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se enternezca al ver al bebé en la cuna. — "I hope that he/she is moved on seeing the baby in the cradle." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enternezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enternezca. 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 enternecerse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se enterneciera con la canción de su madre, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she was moved at his mother's song, everything would turn out better." For enternecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem enternec- 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 enternecerse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se enternezca ante el gesto del niño! — "Let him/her be moved at the child's gesture!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enternezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enternezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of enternecerse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te enternezcas con la carta de su hija. — "Do not be moved at his daughter's letter." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is enternezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enternezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: enternecerse in real sentences
Ten sentences with enternecerse, 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 me enternezco con la carta de su hija. — "Every day, I be moved at his daughter's letter." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me enternecí al ver al bebé en la cuna. — "Yesterday, I was moved on seeing the baby in the cradle." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me enternecía con la canción de su madre. — "In the past, I used to be moved at his mother's song." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos enterneceremos ante el gesto del niño. — "Tomorrow, we will be moved at the child's gesture." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te enternecerías con la carta de su hija. — "If you could, you would be moved at his daughter's letter." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he enternecido al ver al bebé en la cuna. — "I have been moved on seeing the baby in the cradle." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se enternezca con la canción de su madre. — "I hope that he/she is moved at his mother's song." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se enterneciera ante el gesto del niño, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she was moved at the child's gesture, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te enternezcas con la carta de su hija! — "Do not be moved at his daughter's letter!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy enterneciendo al ver al bebé en la cuna. — "Now, I am being moved on seeing the baby in the cradle." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with enternecerse
The errors learners actually make with enternecerse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo enternezco con la carta de su hija.
- Right: Yo me enternezco con la carta de su hija.
- Why: enternecerse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me enternezco con la carta de su hija.. Without me the sentence is incomplete, and it sounds as if the action happens to someone else.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the zc spelling change
- Wrong: Yo me enterneco con la carta de su hija.
- Right: Yo me enternezco con la carta de su hija.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is enternezco, never enterneco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (enternezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo me enternezco al ver al bebé en la cuna.
- Right: Ayer, yo me enternecí al ver al bebé en la cuna.
- 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 me enternecí al ver al bebé en la cuna. — "Yesterday, I was moved on seeing the baby in the cradle."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy enternecido con la canción de su madre.
- Right: Me estoy enterneciendo con la canción de su madre.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund enterneciendo for the progressive. The participle enternecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he enternecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros nos enternece con la carta de su hija.
- Right: Nosotros nos enternecemos con la carta de su hija.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes enternecemos, while enternece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: enternecerse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on enternecerse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of enternecerse in the present tense?
- (a) enternecemos
- (b) enternezco
- (c) enterneces
- (d) enternece
Answer: (b) enternezco. The yo form is enternezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of enternecerse in the present tense?
- (a) enterneces
- (b) enternezco
- (c) enternece
- (d) enternecemos
Answer: (a) enterneces. The tú form is enterneces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of enternecerse in the present tense?
- (a) enternezco
- (b) enterneces
- (c) enternecemos
- (d) enternece
Answer: (d) enternece. The él/ella form is enternece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of enternecerse in the present tense?
- (a) enterneces
- (b) enternece
- (c) enternecemos
- (d) enternezco
Answer: (c) enternecemos. The nosotros form is enternecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of enternecerse in the present tense?
- (a) enternece
- (b) enternecen
- (c) enternezco
- (d) enterneces
Answer: (b) enternecen. The ellos/ellas form is enternecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of enternecerse?
- (a) enternecerse
- (b) enterneciendo
- (c) enternecido
- (d) enternezco
Answer: (b) enterneciendo. The gerund is enterneciendo, used for the progressive: me estoy enterneciendo.
7. What is the past participle of enternecerse?
- (a) enternecido
- (b) enterneciendo
- (c) enternecí
- (d) enternecerse
Answer: (a) enternecido. The past participle is enternecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he enternecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ con la carta de su hija.
- (a) enterneces
- (b) enternece
- (c) enternecemos
- (d) enternezco
Answer: (d) enternezco. The sentence needs the yo form enternezco (Every day, I be moved at his daughter's letter.)
9. What is the yo form of enternecerse in the preterite?
- (a) enterneció
- (b) enternecimos
- (c) enternecí
- (d) enterneciste
Answer: (c) enternecí. The yo preterite is enternecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ con la canción de su madre.
- (a) enternezca
- (b) enternezcas
- (c) enternezcamos
- (d) enternecáis
Answer: (a) enternezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is enternezca.
Frequently asked questions about enternecerse
Is enternecerse regular?
Almost. enternecerse 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 enternezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example enternezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does enternecerse mean, and when do I use it?
enternecerse means "to be moved" in English. Use it when you talk about his daughter's letter, seeing the baby in the cradle, his mother's song and the child's gesture — for example: Yo me enternezco con la carta de su hija. — "I be moved at his daughter's letter." 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 me enternezco con la carta de su hija. — "I be moved at his daughter's letter." 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 enternecerse reflexive?
Yes. enternecerse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me enternezco con la carta de su hija. — "I be moved at his daughter's letter." If you drop the pronoun, the sentence is incomplete. The pronoun goes before the conjugated verb, and it attaches to the end of the gerund and of affirmative imperatives.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with enternecerse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me enternezco con la carta de su hija. — "I be moved at his daughter's letter." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me enternecí con la carta de su hija. — "Yesterday, I was moved at his daughter's letter." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.