Fortalecerse Conjugation in Spanish
fortalecerse means "to grow stronger" in English, and it comes up when people talk about daily exercise, healthy food, the illness and work in the fields. This page gives you the complete conjugation of fortalecerse 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. fortalecerse 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 fortalezco con el ejercicio diario. — "Every day, I grow stronger with daily exercise." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: fortalecerse
- English: to grow stronger
- Verb type: Reflexive spelling-changing (c → zc before o and a) -er verb
- Gerund: fortaleciendo
- Past participle: fortalecido
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + fortalecido)
- 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 fortalecerse with all six persons. The gerund is fortaleciendo and the past participle is fortalecido.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortalezco |
| tú | fortaleces |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortalece |
| nosotros/as | fortalecemos |
| vosotros/as | fortalecéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalecen |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortalecí |
| tú | fortaleciste |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortaleció |
| nosotros/as | fortalecimos |
| vosotros/as | fortalecisteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalecieron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortalecía |
| tú | fortalecías |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortalecía |
| nosotros/as | fortalecíamos |
| vosotros/as | fortalecíais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalecían |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortaleceré |
| tú | fortalecerás |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortalecerá |
| nosotros/as | fortaleceremos |
| vosotros/as | fortaleceréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalecerán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortalecería |
| tú | fortalecerías |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortalecería |
| nosotros/as | fortaleceríamos |
| vosotros/as | fortaleceríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalecerían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he fortalecido |
| tú | has fortalecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha fortalecido |
| nosotros/as | hemos fortalecido |
| vosotros/as | habéis fortalecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han fortalecido |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había fortalecido |
| tú | habías fortalecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | había fortalecido |
| nosotros/as | habíamos fortalecido |
| vosotros/as | habíais fortalecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían fortalecido |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré fortalecido |
| tú | habrás fortalecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá fortalecido |
| nosotros/as | habremos fortalecido |
| vosotros/as | habréis fortalecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán fortalecido |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría fortalecido |
| tú | habrías fortalecido |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría fortalecido |
| nosotros/as | habríamos fortalecido |
| vosotros/as | habríais fortalecido |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían fortalecido |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortalezca |
| tú | fortalezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortalezca |
| nosotros/as | fortalezcamos |
| vosotros/as | fortalecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalezcan |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fortaleciera |
| tú | fortalecieras |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortaleciera |
| nosotros/as | fortaleciéramos |
| vosotros/as | fortalecierais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalecieran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | fortalece |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortalezca |
| nosotros/as | fortalezcamos |
| vosotros/as | fortaleced |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalezcan |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | fortalezcas |
| él/ella/Ud. | fortalezca |
| nosotros/as | fortalezcamos |
| vosotros/as | fortalecáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fortalezcan |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about fortalecerse in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of fortalecerse is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo me fortalezco con el ejercicio diario. — "Every day, I grow stronger with daily exercise." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is fortalezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fortalezca. 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 fortalecerse is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo me fortalecí con la comida sana. — "Yesterday, I grew stronger with healthy food." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo me fortalecía después de la enfermedad. — "In the past, I used to grow stronger after the illness." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros nos fortaleceremos con el trabajo en el campo. — "Tomorrow, we will grow stronger with work in the fields." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú te fortalecerías con el ejercicio diario. — "If you could, you would grow stronger with daily exercise." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo me he fortalecido con la comida sana. — "I have grown stronger with healthy food." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo me había fortalecido después de la enfermedad. — "Before the party, I had grown stronger after the illness." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo me habré fortalecido con el trabajo en el campo. — "By tomorrow, I will have grown stronger with work in the fields." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo me habría fortalecido con el ejercicio diario. — "If I had been able to, I would have grown stronger with daily exercise." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él se fortalezca con la comida sana. — "I hope that he/she grows stronger with healthy food." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is fortalezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fortalezca. 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 fortalecerse is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él se fortaleciera después de la enfermedad, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she grew stronger after the illness, everything would turn out better." For fortalecerse this tense follows the regular -er pattern: the stem fortalec- 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 fortalecerse is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Que se fortalezca con el trabajo en el campo! — "Let him/her grow stronger with work in the fields!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is fortalezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fortalezca. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of fortalecerse is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No te fortalezcas con el ejercicio diario. — "Do not grow stronger with daily exercise." Watch the spelling: the c becomes zc before o and a, so the yo form is fortalezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fortalezca. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: fortalecerse in real sentences
Ten sentences with fortalecerse, 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 fortalezco con el ejercicio diario. — "Every day, I grow stronger with daily exercise." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo me fortalecí con la comida sana. — "Yesterday, I grew stronger with healthy food." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo me fortalecía después de la enfermedad. — "In the past, I used to grow stronger after the illness." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros nos fortaleceremos con el trabajo en el campo. — "Tomorrow, we will grow stronger with work in the fields." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú te fortalecerías con el ejercicio diario. — "If you could, you would grow stronger with daily exercise." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo me he fortalecido con la comida sana. — "I have grown stronger with healthy food." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él se fortalezca después de la enfermedad. — "I hope that he/she grows stronger after the illness." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él se fortaleciera con el trabajo en el campo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she grew stronger with work in the fields, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡No te fortalezcas con el ejercicio diario! — "Do not grow stronger with daily exercise!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo me estoy fortaleciendo con la comida sana. — "Now, I am growing stronger with healthy food." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with fortalecerse
The errors learners actually make with fortalecerse, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the reflexive pronoun
- Wrong: Yo fortalezco con el ejercicio diario.
- Right: Yo me fortalezco con el ejercicio diario.
- Why: fortalecerse is reflexive, so the pronoun is part of the verb: Yo me fortalezco con el ejercicio diario.. 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 fortaleco con el ejercicio diario.
- Right: Yo me fortalezco con el ejercicio diario.
- Why: Verbs in -cer change c to zc before o and a. The yo form is fortalezco, never fortaleco, and the same change appears in the subjunctive (fortalezca).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo me fortalezco con la comida sana.
- Right: Ayer, yo me fortalecí con la comida sana.
- 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 fortalecí con la comida sana. — "Yesterday, I grew stronger with healthy food."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Me estoy fortalecido después de la enfermedad.
- Right: Me estoy fortaleciendo después de la enfermedad.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund fortaleciendo for the progressive. The participle fortalecido goes with haber in the perfect tenses (me he fortalecido), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros nos fortalece con el ejercicio diario.
- Right: Nosotros nos fortalecemos con el ejercicio diario.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes fortalecemos, while fortalece belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: fortalecerse conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on fortalecerse. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of fortalecerse in the present tense?
- (a) fortalezco
- (b) fortaleces
- (c) fortalece
- (d) fortalecemos
Answer: (a) fortalezco. The yo form is fortalezco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of fortalecerse in the present tense?
- (a) fortalezco
- (b) fortalece
- (c) fortalecemos
- (d) fortaleces
Answer: (d) fortaleces. The tú form is fortaleces. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of fortalecerse in the present tense?
- (a) fortaleces
- (b) fortalecemos
- (c) fortalece
- (d) fortalezco
Answer: (c) fortalece. The él/ella form is fortalece. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of fortalecerse in the present tense?
- (a) fortalece
- (b) fortalecemos
- (c) fortalezco
- (d) fortaleces
Answer: (b) fortalecemos. The nosotros form is fortalecemos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of fortalecerse in the present tense?
- (a) fortalecen
- (b) fortalezco
- (c) fortaleces
- (d) fortalece
Answer: (a) fortalecen. The ellos/ellas form is fortalecen. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of fortalecerse?
- (a) fortaleciendo
- (b) fortalecido
- (c) fortalezco
- (d) fortalecerse
Answer: (a) fortaleciendo. The gerund is fortaleciendo, used for the progressive: me estoy fortaleciendo.
7. What is the past participle of fortalecerse?
- (a) fortaleciendo
- (b) fortalecí
- (c) fortalecerse
- (d) fortalecido
Answer: (d) fortalecido. The past participle is fortalecido, used with haber in all perfect tenses: me he fortalecido.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ con el ejercicio diario.
- (a) fortalece
- (b) fortalecemos
- (c) fortalezco
- (d) fortaleces
Answer: (c) fortalezco. The sentence needs the yo form fortalezco (Every day, I grow stronger with daily exercise.)
9. What is the yo form of fortalecerse in the preterite?
- (a) fortalecimos
- (b) fortalecí
- (c) fortaleciste
- (d) fortaleció
Answer: (b) fortalecí. The yo preterite is fortalecí. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ después de la enfermedad.
- (a) fortalezcas
- (b) fortalezcamos
- (c) fortalecáis
- (d) fortalezca
Answer: (d) fortalezca. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is fortalezca.
Frequently asked questions about fortalecerse
Is fortalecerse regular?
Almost. fortalecerse 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 fortalezco and the subjunctive forms start with zc, for example fortalezca. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does fortalecerse mean, and when do I use it?
fortalecerse means "to grow stronger" in English. Use it when you talk about daily exercise, healthy food, the illness and work in the fields — for example: Yo me fortalezco con el ejercicio diario. — "I grow stronger with daily exercise." 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 fortalezco con el ejercicio diario. — "I grow stronger with daily exercise." 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 fortalecerse reflexive?
Yes. fortalecerse is reflexive, so it always travels with a pronoun: me, te, se, nos, os, se. Yo me fortalezco con el ejercicio diario. — "I grow stronger with daily exercise." 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 fortalecerse?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo me fortalezco con el ejercicio diario. — "I grow stronger with daily exercise." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo me fortalecí con el ejercicio diario. — "Yesterday, I grew stronger with daily exercise." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.