Meaning
The activity of performing physical activity for fitness.
Cultural Background
The 'Paseo' is a cultural staple. While not 'hacer ejercicio' in a high-intensity sense, it is the most common form of daily physical activity for all ages. The 'Ciclovía' in Bogotá is world-famous. Every Sunday, miles of roads are closed for people to 'hacer ejercicio' safely. Outdoor 'parques' often have public exercise equipment (estaciones de salud) where people gather to work out and drink mate. In many plazas, 'Zumba' classes are held in the evenings, making 'hacer ejercicio' a loud, musical, and public community event.
Drop the 'the'
In English we say 'I do exercise', but in Spanish, don't say 'Hago el ejercicio' unless you mean a specific one. Just say 'Hago ejercicio'.
Silent H
Never pronounce the 'H' in 'hacer'. It's 'ah-ser', not 'ha-ser'.
Meaning
The activity of performing physical activity for fitness.
Drop the 'the'
In English we say 'I do exercise', but in Spanish, don't say 'Hago el ejercicio' unless you mean a specific one. Just say 'Hago ejercicio'.
Silent H
Never pronounce the 'H' in 'hacer'. It's 'ah-ser', not 'ha-ser'.
Use 'Entrenar' for intensity
If you want to sound like a fitness pro, use 'entrenar' instead of 'hacer ejercicio'.
Social Exercise
In Spanish culture, 'hacer ejercicio' is often a social activity. Don't be surprised if people talk a lot at the gym!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'hacer' in the present tense.
Yo _______ ejercicio todas las mañanas.
The 'yo' form of 'hacer' is irregular: 'hago'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I worked out yesterday'?
Ayer...
'Hice' is the correct past tense (pretérito) for 'yo', and 'hacer ejercicio' is the natural collocation.
Match the Spanish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all specific types of 'hacer ejercicio'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Juan: ¿Por qué estás tan cansado? Maria: Porque acabo de _________ en el gimnasio.
The context of 'gimnasio' (gym) and being 'cansado' (tired) points to exercise.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Common Collocations with Hacer
Fitness
- • Hacer ejercicio
- • Hacer pesas
- • Hacer yoga
Daily
- • Hacer la cama
- • Hacer la comida
- • Hacer la tarea
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo _______ ejercicio todas las mañanas.
The 'yo' form of 'hacer' is irregular: 'hago'.
Ayer...
'Hice' is the correct past tense (pretérito) for 'yo', and 'hacer ejercicio' is the natural collocation.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all specific types of 'hacer ejercicio'.
Juan: ¿Por qué estás tan cansado? Maria: Porque acabo de _________ en el gimnasio.
The context of 'gimnasio' (gym) and being 'cansado' (tired) points to exercise.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is masculine: 'el ejercicio'. However, the verb 'hacer' doesn't have gender.
Yes, but 'hacer deporte' (singular) is more common in Spain to mean 'to exercise'.
'Ejercitarse' is more formal and reflexive. 'Hacer ejercicio' is the standard everyday phrase.
You can say 'ir al gym' or 'machacarse'.
Yes, 'hacer yoga' and 'hacer pilates' are perfectly correct.
Yes, it is universally understood and used from Spain to Argentina.
It's irregular: hice, hiciste, hizo, hicimos, hicisteis, hicieron.
Yes, 'ejercicios militares' is the standard term for military drills.
You can, but it sounds slightly more formal or like a translation from another language. 'Hacer' is the natural partner for 'ejercicio'.
It usually refers to gymnastics or old-school calisthenics/PE classes.
Say 'Me gusta hacer ejercicio'.
Only if you mean one specific exercise (like 'one leg lift') or a school task.
Related Phrases
Estar en forma
similarTo be in shape
Ir al gimnasio
specialized formTo go to the gym
Sudar la gota gorda
idiomTo sweat the big drop / work very hard
Mantenerse sano
builds onTo stay healthy
Hacer deporte
synonymTo do sports
