Especializarse Conjugation in Spanish
especializarse means "to specialise in" in English, and it comes up when people talk about medicine at university, Italian cooking, art history and languages at school. This page gives you the complete conjugation of especializarse 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. especializarse is a Reflexive 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 me especializo en medicina en la universidad. — "Every day, I specialise in in medicine at university." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: especializarse
- English: to specialise in
- Verb type: Reflexive spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: especializando
- Past participle: especializado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + especializado)
- Reflexive: yes — always use it with the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se.
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of especializarse 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 especializarse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of especializarse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me especializo en medicina en la universidad. — "Every day, I specialise in in medicine at university." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me especialicé en cocina italiana. — "Yesterday, I specialised in in Italian cooking." 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 especializarse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me especializaba en historia del arte. — "In the past, I used to specialise in in art history." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos especializaremos en idiomas en la escuela. — "Tomorrow, we will specialise in in languages at school." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te especializarías en medicina en la universidad. — "If you could, you would specialise in in medicine at university." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he especializado en cocina italiana. — "I have specialised in in Italian cooking." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había especializado en historia del arte. — "Before the party, I had specialised in in art history." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré especializado en idiomas en la escuela. — "By tomorrow, I will have specialised in in languages at school." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría especializado en medicina en la universidad. — "If I had been able to, I would have specialised in in medicine at university." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se especialice en cocina italiana. — "I hope that he/she specialises in in Italian cooking." 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 especializarse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se especializara en historia del arte, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she specialised in in art history, everything would turn out better." For especializarse 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 especializarse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se especialice en idiomas en la escuela! — "Let him/her specialise in in languages at school!" 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 especializarse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te especialices en medicina en la universidad. — "Do not specialise in in medicine at university." 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: especializarse in real sentences
Ten sentences with especializarse, 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 especializo en medicina en la universidad. — "Every day, I specialise in in medicine at university." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me especialicé en cocina italiana. — "Yesterday, I specialised in in Italian cooking." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me especializaba en historia del arte. — "In the past, I used to specialise in in art history." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos especializaremos en idiomas en la escuela. — "Tomorrow, we will specialise in in languages at school." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te especializarías en medicina en la universidad. — "If you could, you would specialise in in medicine at university." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he especializado en cocina italiana. — "I have specialised in in Italian cooking." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se especialice en historia del arte. — "I hope that he/she specialises in in art history." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se especializara en idiomas en la escuela, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she specialised in in languages at school, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te especialices en medicina en la universidad! — "Do not specialise in in medicine at university!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy especializando en cocina italiana. — "Now, I am specialising in in Italian cooking." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with especializarse
The errors learners actually make with especializarse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo especializo en medicina en la universidad.
- Right: Yo me especializo en medicina en la universidad.
- Why: especializarse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me especializo en medicina en la universidad.. Without me the sentence is incomplete, and it sounds as if the action happens to someone else.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él especializa en cocina italiana.
- Right: Espero que él especialice en cocina italiana.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for especializarse the subjunctive also changes z to c: especialice, not especializa.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo me especializo en cocina italiana.
- Right: Ayer, yo me especialicé en cocina italiana.
- 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 especialicé en cocina italiana. — "Yesterday, I specialised in in Italian cooking."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy especializado en historia del arte.
- Right: Me estoy especializando en historia del arte.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund especializando for the progressive. The participle especializado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he especializado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Confusing especializarse with especializar
- Wrong: Yo especializo en medicina en la universidad.
- Right: Yo me especializo en medicina en la universidad.
- Why: especializarse (to specialise in) and especializar are partners, not the same verb. especializarse means "to specialise in", while the other form is used when the action is done to someone else. Use the reflexive pronoun when the action comes back to the subject.
Quiz: especializarse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on especializarse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of especializarse in the present tense?
- (a) especializo
- (b) especializas
- (c) especializa
- (d) especializamos
Answer: (a) especializo. The yo form is especializo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of especializarse in the present tense?
- (a) especializo
- (b) especializa
- (c) especializamos
- (d) especializas
Answer: (d) especializas. The tú form is especializas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of especializarse in the present tense?
- (a) especializas
- (b) especializamos
- (c) especializa
- (d) especializo
Answer: (c) especializa. The él/ella form is especializa. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of especializarse in the present tense?
- (a) especializa
- (b) especializamos
- (c) especializo
- (d) especializas
Answer: (b) especializamos. The nosotros form is especializamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of especializarse in the present tense?
- (a) especializan
- (b) especializo
- (c) especializas
- (d) especializa
Answer: (a) especializan. The ellos/ellas form is especializan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of especializarse?
- (a) especializando
- (b) especializado
- (c) especializo
- (d) especializarse
Answer: (a) especializando. The gerund is especializando, used for the progressive: me estoy especializando.
7. What is the past participle of especializarse?
- (a) especializando
- (b) especialicé
- (c) especializarse
- (d) especializado
Answer: (d) especializado. The past participle is especializado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he especializado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ en medicina en la universidad.
- (a) especializa
- (b) especializamos
- (c) especializo
- (d) especializas
Answer: (c) especializo. The sentence needs the yo form especializo (Every day, I specialise in in medicine at university.)
9. What is the yo form of especializarse in the preterite?
- (a) especializamos
- (b) especialicé
- (c) especializaste
- (d) especializó
Answer: (b) especialicé. The yo preterite is especialicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ en historia del arte.
- (a) especialices
- (b) especialicemos
- (c) especialicéis
- (d) especialice
Answer: (d) especialice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is especialice.
Frequently asked questions about especializarse
Is especializarse regular?
Almost. especializarse 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 especializarse mean, and when do I use it?
especializarse means "to specialise in" in English. Use it when you talk about medicine at university, Italian cooking, art history and languages at school — for example: Yo me especializo en medicina en la universidad. — "I specialise in in medicine at university." 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 especializo en medicina en la universidad. — "I specialise in in medicine at university." 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 especializarse reflexive?
Yes. especializarse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me especializo en medicina en la universidad. — "I specialise in in medicine at university." 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 especializarse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me especializo en medicina en la universidad. — "I specialise in in medicine at university." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me especialicé en medicina en la universidad. — "Yesterday, I specialised in in medicine at university." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.