Especializar Conjugation in Spanish
especializar means "to specialise" in English, and it comes up when people talk about his company in wines, the clinic in children, the workshop in old cars and his studies in law. This page gives you the complete conjugation of especializar 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. especializar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar 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 especializo su empresa en vinos. — "Every day, I specialise his company in wines." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: especializar
- English: to specialise
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: especializando
- Past participle: especializado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + especializado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of especializar with all six persons. The gerund is especializando and the past participle is especializado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | especializo |
| tú | especializas |
| él/ella/Ud. | especializa |
| nosotros/as | especializamos |
| vosotros/as | especializáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especializan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | especialicé |
| tú | especializaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | especializó |
| nosotros/as | especializamos |
| vosotros/as | especializasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especializaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | especializaba |
| tú | especializabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | especializaba |
| nosotros/as | especializábamos |
| vosotros/as | especializabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especializaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | especializaré |
| tú | especializarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | especializará |
| nosotros/as | especializaremos |
| vosotros/as | especializaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especializarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | especializaría |
| tú | especializarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | especializaría |
| nosotros/as | especializaríamos |
| vosotros/as | especializaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especializarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he especializado |
| tú | has especializado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha especializado |
| nosotros/as | hemos especializado |
| vosotros/as | habéis especializado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han especializado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había especializado |
| tú | habías especializado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había especializado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos especializado |
| vosotros/as | habíais especializado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían especializado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré especializado |
| tú | habrás especializado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá especializado |
| nosotros/as | habremos especializado |
| vosotros/as | habréis especializado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán especializado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría especializado |
| tú | habrías especializado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría especializado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos especializado |
| vosotros/as | habríais especializado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían especializado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | especialice |
| tú | especialices |
| él/ella/Ud. | especialice |
| nosotros/as | especialicemos |
| vosotros/as | especialicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especialicen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | especializara |
| tú | especializaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | especializara |
| nosotros/as | especializáramos |
| vosotros/as | especializarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especializaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | especializa |
| él/ella/Ud. | especialice |
| nosotros/as | especialicemos |
| vosotros/as | especializad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especialicen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | especialices |
| él/ella/Ud. | especialice |
| nosotros/as | especialicemos |
| vosotros/as | especialicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | especialicen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about especializar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of especializar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo especializo su empresa en vinos. — "Every day, I specialise his company in wines." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- plus the usual endings. 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 especializar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo especialicé la clínica en niños. — "Yesterday, I specialised the clinic in children." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is especialicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example especialice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of especializar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo especializaba el taller en coches antiguos. — "In the past, I used to specialise the workshop in old cars." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- 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 especializar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros especializaremos su estudio en derecho. — "Tomorrow, we will specialise his studies in law." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- 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 especializar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú especializarías su empresa en vinos. — "If you could, you would specialise his company in wines." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- 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 especializar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he especializado la clínica en niños. — "I have specialised the clinic in children." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- 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 especializar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había especializado el taller en coches antiguos. — "Before the party, I had specialised the workshop in old cars." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- 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 especializar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré especializado su estudio en derecho. — "By tomorrow, I will have specialised his studies in law." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- 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 especializar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría especializado su empresa en vinos. — "If I had been able to, I would have specialised his company in wines." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- 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 especializar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él especialice la clínica en niños. — "I hope that he/she specialises the clinic in children." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is especialicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example especialice. 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 especializar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él especializara el taller en coches antiguos, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she specialised the workshop in old cars, everything would turn out better." For especializar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem especializ- 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 especializar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Especializa su estudio en derecho! — "Specialise his studies in law!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is especialicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example especialice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of especializar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No especialices su empresa en vinos. — "Do not specialise his company in wines." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is especialicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example especialice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: especializar in real sentences
Ten sentences with especializar, 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 especializo su empresa en vinos. — "Every day, I specialise his company in wines." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo especialicé la clínica en niños. — "Yesterday, I specialised the clinic in children." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo especializaba el taller en coches antiguos. — "In the past, I used to specialise the workshop in old cars." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros especializaremos su estudio en derecho. — "Tomorrow, we will specialise his studies in law." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú especializarías su empresa en vinos. — "If you could, you would specialise his company in wines." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he especializado la clínica en niños. — "I have specialised the clinic in children." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él especialice el taller en coches antiguos. — "I hope that he/she specialises the workshop in old cars." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él especializara su estudio en derecho, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she specialised his studies in law, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Especializa su empresa en vinos! — "Specialise his company in wines!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy especializando la clínica en niños. — "Now, I am specialising the clinic in children." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with especializar
The errors learners actually make with especializar, 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 especializo su empresa en vinos.
- Right: Yo especializo su empresa en vinos.
- Why: especializar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo especializo su empresa en vinos. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él especializa la clínica en niños.
- Right: Espero que él especialice la clínica en niños.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for especializar the subjunctive also changes z to c: especialice, not especializa.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo especializo la clínica en niños.
- Right: Ayer, yo especialicé la clínica en niños.
- 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 especialicé la clínica en niños. — "Yesterday, I specialised the clinic in children."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy especializado el taller en coches antiguos.
- Right: Estoy especializando el taller en coches antiguos.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund especializando for the progressive. The participle especializado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he especializado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Confusing especializar with especializarse
- Wrong: Yo me especializo su empresa en vinos.
- Right: Yo especializo su empresa en vinos.
- Why: especializar (to specialise) and especializarse are partners, not the same verb. The reflexive partner especializarse is used when the action comes back to the subject, while especializar is used when the action is done to someone or something else.
Quiz: especializar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on especializar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of especializar in the present tense?
- (a) especializas
- (b) especializa
- (c) especializamos
- (d) especializo
Answer: (d) especializo. The yo form is especializo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of especializar in the present tense?
- (a) especializa
- (b) especializamos
- (c) especializas
- (d) especializo
Answer: (c) especializas. The tú form is especializas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of especializar in the present tense?
- (a) especializamos
- (b) especializa
- (c) especializo
- (d) especializas
Answer: (b) especializa. The él/ella form is especializa. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of especializar in the present tense?
- (a) especializamos
- (b) especializo
- (c) especializas
- (d) especializa
Answer: (a) especializamos. The nosotros form is especializamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of especializar in the present tense?
- (a) especializo
- (b) especializas
- (c) especializa
- (d) especializan
Answer: (d) especializan. The ellos/ellas form is especializan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of especializar?
- (a) especializado
- (b) especializo
- (c) especializar
- (d) especializando
Answer: (d) especializando. The gerund is especializando, used for the progressive: estoy especializando.
7. What is the past participle of especializar?
- (a) especialicé
- (b) especializar
- (c) especializado
- (d) especializando
Answer: (c) especializado. The past participle is especializado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he especializado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ su empresa en vinos.
- (a) especializamos
- (b) especializo
- (c) especializas
- (d) especializa
Answer: (b) especializo. The sentence needs the yo form especializo (Every day, I specialise his company in wines.)
9. What is the yo form of especializar in the preterite?
- (a) especialicé
- (b) especializaste
- (c) especializó
- (d) especializamos
Answer: (a) especialicé. The yo preterite is especialicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el taller en coches antiguos.
- (a) especialicemos
- (b) especialicéis
- (c) especialice
- (d) especialices
Answer: (c) especialice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is especialice.
Frequently asked questions about especializar
Is especializar regular?
Almost. especializar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is especialicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example especialice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does especializar mean, and when do I use it?
especializar means "to specialise" in English. Use it when you talk about his company in wines, the clinic in children, the workshop in old cars and his studies in law — for example: Yo especializo su empresa en vinos. — "I specialise his company in wines." 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 especializo su empresa en vinos. — "I specialise his company in wines." 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.
What is the difference between especializar and especializarse?
especializar means "to specialise", while especializarse means "to specialise in". The reflexive form is used when the action comes back to the subject, and the plain form is used when the action is done to someone or something else. Compare the two pages side by side to feel the difference.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with especializar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo especializo su empresa en vinos. — "I specialise his company in wines." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo especialicé su empresa en vinos. — "Yesterday, I specialised his company in wines." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.