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B2 verb #4,500 most common 10 min read

agilizar

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips agilizar in 30 Seconds

Explanation agilizar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'agilizar' very often, but it's good to recognize its root: 'ágil' (agile). At this stage, you usually learn to say 'más rápido' (faster) to express the same idea. For example, instead of saying 'agilizar el paso', an A1 student would say 'caminar más rápido'. However, understanding that 'agilizar' is related to being quick and nimble will help you later. You might see this word on signs in a bank or a supermarket, usually near the 'fast track' or 'express' lanes. It's a 'big' word that adults use when they want things to move along quickly. Just remember: agilizar = make it go fast and smooth. Even at A1, knowing that 'agil' is like 'agile' in English makes it easy to remember. You can think of a fast cat being 'ágil'.

By A2, you are starting to talk about your daily routines and work. You might hear 'agilizar' when someone talks about chores. 'Tenemos que agilizar la limpieza' (We have to speed up the cleaning). It's a step up from 'hacerlo rápido'. At this level, you should begin to notice the word in instructions. If you are filling out a form online, it might say 'Para agilizar su solicitud, complete todos los campos' (To speed up your application, fill in all fields). You don't have to use it in every sentence, but using it instead of 'hacer más rápido' makes you sound more like a native speaker. It's a great word to use when you are frustrated with a slow line at a shop! You can say to a friend, 'Ojalá agilizaran la fila' (I wish they would speed up the line).

At the B1 level, you are becoming more independent in your Spanish. You can now use 'agilizar' to discuss more complex topics like work, study, and simple bureaucracy. You might use it to describe how you study: 'Uso flashcards para agilizar mi aprendizaje' (I use flashcards to speed up my learning). You are also starting to understand that this word is very common in professional settings. If you are writing a simple work email, saying 'Queremos agilizar el proceso' sounds much better than 'Queremos ir rápido'. B1 students should also be comfortable with the regular -ar conjugation of the word in the present and past tenses. You'll also see it in the news, especially when they talk about new technologies making life easier and faster.

B2 is the 'sweet spot' for 'agilizar'. This is a quintessential B2 word because it is functional, professional, and precise. At this level, you are expected to use it correctly in discussions about society, the economy, and the workplace. You should understand the nuance that 'agilizar' is about efficiency, not just speed. You can use it to talk about 'agilizar los trámites' (streamlining paperwork) or 'agilizar la mente' (keeping the mind sharp). You should also be able to use it in the subjunctive: 'Es importante que agilicemos el trabajo' (It's important that we speed up the work). At B2, you are moving away from basic vocabulary and starting to use words that convey a specific 'flavor' of meaning, and 'agilizar' is perfect for that.

For C1 learners, 'agilizar' is a staple of your formal vocabulary. You use it to discuss systemic changes and abstract concepts. You might analyze how a government can 'agilizar la justicia' (expedite justice) or how a company can 'agilizar su cadena de suministro' (streamline its supply chain). You understand the etymological roots and can distinguish it perfectly from synonyms like 'dinamizar', 'acelerar', or 'viabilizar'. At this level, you might also use the noun form 'agilización' or the adjective 'agilizado'. You can use it in complex sentence structures, such as: 'La implementación de la inteligencia artificial ha permitido agilizar procesos que antes tomaban semanas'. Your usage is fluid and you can apply the word to physical, mental, and organizational contexts without hesitation.

At the C2 level, 'agilizar' is used with total mastery and nuance. You might use it in philosophical or highly technical debates. For instance, you could discuss the 'agilización de la respuesta social ante crisis humanitarias' or the 'agilización del pensamiento crítico en la era digital'. You are aware of the word's rhetorical power—how using 'agilizar' instead of 'acelerar' can frame a change as an improvement in quality rather than just a change in tempo. You can use it in literary contexts or high-level academic writing. You also recognize when the word is being used as 'corporate speak' or political jargon to mask a lack of substantive change. At C2, the word is not just a tool for communication, but a brush with which you can paint subtle shades of meaning regarding efficiency and progress.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

agilizar in 30 Seconds

Agilizar means to speed up or streamline a process, making it more efficient and fluid by removing obstacles or simplifying steps.
It is commonly used in professional and bureaucratic contexts, such as 'agilizar trámites' (speeding up paperwork) or 'agilizar la producción'.
The word comes from 'ágil' (agile) and emphasizes quality speed over just moving faster, focusing on better organization and flow.
It is a regular -ar verb, but remember the spelling change to 'agilicé' in the first-person preterite to maintain the soft 'g' sound.

The Spanish verb agilizar is a dynamic and essential word for anyone reaching the intermediate (B2) level of Spanish proficiency. At its core, it means to make something more agile, to speed up a process, or to streamline a series of actions that might otherwise be bogged down by complexity or bureaucracy. Unlike the simpler verb acelerar (to accelerate), which often refers to physical speed or the rate of an engine, agilizar carries a connotation of efficiency and the removal of obstacles. When you agilizar something, you are not just making it faster; you are making it smoother, more flexible, and more effective.

Professional Context: In the corporate world, this word is used constantly to describe the optimization of workflows. Managers seek to agilizar production lines or agilizar decision-making processes to stay competitive.
Bureaucratic Context: In government and legal settings, it refers to the reduction of 'red tape' (trámites). To agilizar un trámite is the dream of every citizen dealing with paperwork.

The word derives from the adjective ágil (agile), which comes from the Latin agilis. This root implies a sense of movement and ease. Therefore, when we use agilizar, we are conceptually injecting 'agility' into a system. Think of a runner who removes heavy weights from their ankles; they aren't just running faster because they are pushing harder, but because they have become more 'agile' by removing the burden. This is the essence of agilizar.

El nuevo software servirá para agilizar la gestión de inventarios en la bodega.

Native speakers use this word when they want to sound professional and precise. While a child might say 'hazlo más rápido' (do it faster), a professional would say 'necesitamos agilizar la entrega' (we need to expedite the delivery). It is particularly common in news reports regarding legislative changes intended to make the economy or the judicial system work more effectively. For instance, if a new law is passed to make starting a business easier, the headline will likely use agilizar.

Furthermore, agilizar can be applied to mental and physical states. One can agilizar la mente (sharpen/speed up the mind) through puzzles or reading. It suggests a transition from a state of sluggishness to one of quick, fluid responsiveness. In physical therapy, a patient might perform exercises to agilizar sus movimientos, meaning to regain the fluidity of motion they once had. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in both formal and semi-formal Spanish.

Es fundamental agilizar los trámites de adopción para ayudar a los niños más rápido.

In summary, agilizar is the verb of choice for modernization, efficiency, and progress. It captures the action of making things work the way they should: without friction. Whether you are talking about a computer program, a government office, or your own learning process, agilizar describes the act of making that process leaner, faster, and more 'agile'.

Using agilizar correctly requires understanding its transitive nature. It almost always takes a direct object—the thing that you are making faster or more efficient. You don't just 'agilizar'; you agilizar something. This 'something' is usually a noun representing a process, a task, or a movement.

Common Direct Objects: Trámites (formalities), procesos (processes), gestiones (arrangements), ventas (sales), pagos (payments), and movimientos (movements).

The syntax is straightforward: [Subject] + [Conjugated form of agilizar] + [Direct Object]. For example: 'El gobierno agilizó las exportaciones.' (The government sped up exports). It follows the regular conjugation pattern for -ar verbs, which makes it relatively easy to use once you have the vocabulary to pair it with.

Si usamos esta aplicación, podremos agilizar el pago de las facturas mensuales.

One nuance to keep in mind is the difference between agilizar and facilitar. While facilitar means 'to make easier', agilizar specifically implies that the ease results in greater speed. If a teacher gives you a template for an essay, they are facilitando the work. If they tell you to skip the introduction to finish the exam on time, they are agilizando the process.

In the imperative mood, it's a common call to action in business meetings. '¡Agilicemos esto!' (Let's speed this up!) is a way to tell everyone to stop wasting time on details and move toward a conclusion. It is also frequently found in the infinitive form after verbs like querer, necesitar, or deber.

¿Qué medidas podemos tomar para agilizar la atención al cliente en horas pico?

Finally, consider its use in the past participle form agilizado, which can function as an adjective. 'Un proceso agilizado' is a streamlined process. This is common in technical documentation and business reports. By mastering the usage of agilizar, you demonstrate a grasp of sophisticated, functional Spanish that transitions smoothly between everyday conversation and professional environments.

You will encounter agilizar in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the evening news to your local bank. It is a favorite of politicians, business leaders, and news anchors because it sounds proactive and efficient. If you listen to a broadcast about the economy, you might hear a phrase like 'El Banco Central busca agilizar el flujo de crédito' (The Central Bank seeks to streamline the flow of credit).

The News & Media: Used when discussing government reforms, infrastructure projects, or disaster relief efforts where speed is of the essence.
Customer Service: When a company apologizes for a delay, they often promise to 'agilizar su pedido' (expedite your order).

In Spain and Latin America, the word is ubiquitous in the context of 'La Administración' (the public administration). Because bureaucratic processes are notoriously slow in many Spanish-speaking countries, the word agilizar is often used as a rallying cry for reform. You'll see it in newspaper headlines like 'Prometen agilizar la entrega de pasaportes' (They promise to speed up passport delivery).

Escuché en las noticias que van a agilizar el tráfico con un nuevo túnel.

In a more personal setting, you might hear it at the gym or in a sports context. A coach might tell an athlete to perform certain drills to agilizar sus piernas (make their legs more agile/faster). Here, the focus is on physical dexterity and reaction time. Similarly, in a classroom, a teacher might suggest a game to agilizar el cálculo mental (speed up mental math) among students.

If you work in a Spanish-speaking office, pay attention during project planning meetings. You will hear colleagues discuss how to agilizar la comunicación between departments. It often implies moving away from formal emails and toward instant messaging or more frequent, shorter meetings. It is a word that signals a desire for modernity and the rejection of 'stagnation' (estancamiento).

La empresa contrató a un consultor para agilizar la cadena de suministro.

Ultimately, agilizar is a word that bridges the gap between 'doing something' and 'doing something well.' It is heard wherever there is a conscious effort to improve the rate and quality of output, making it one of the most positive and forward-looking verbs in the Spanish language.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with agilizar is confusing it with the simple verb apresurar. While both involve speed, apresurar often implies a sense of rushing or urgency that might lead to mistakes. Agilizar, conversely, implies that the speed is a result of improved efficiency. If you tell someone 'apresúrate', you are telling them to hurry up. If you say 'vamos a agilizar esto', you are suggesting a better way to work.

Agilizar vs. Acelerar: Use acelerar for physical speed (cars, heart rate). Use agilizar for processes, workflows, and bureaucratic tasks.

Another common error is using it as an intransitive verb. In English, we can say 'things are speeding up.' In Spanish, you cannot simply say 'las cosas están agilizando.' You must say 'las cosas se están agilizando' (reflexive/passive 'se') or 'estamos agilizando las cosas.' Always remember that agilizar needs an object or the reflexive pronoun to function correctly in that context.

Incorrecto: El proceso agiliza solo.
Correcto: El proceso se agiliza con la nueva ley.

Spelling is another pitfall. Because of the 'g' sound followed by 'i', some learners mistakenly write it with a 'j' (*ajilizar). Remember that it comes from ágil, which is spelled with a 'g'. In Spanish, the 'gi' and 'ge' combinations produce the aspirated 'h' sound (like 'house'), but the spelling remains consistent with the root word.

Finally, avoid overusing agilizar in very informal, slang-heavy environments. While it's not 'stiff', it is a precise word. Using it while hanging out at a bar with friends might sound slightly out of place unless you are jokingly referring to the speed of the service. Stick to apresurarse or darse prisa for casual 'hurry up' situations.

No digas 'agiliza' a un amigo que camina lento; dile 'camina más rápido' o '¡dale!'.

By avoiding these common pitfalls—confusion with synonyms, incorrect transitivity, and spelling errors—you will be able to use agilizar with the confidence of a native speaker, particularly in professional and academic settings.

Spanish is rich with verbs that describe the act of increasing speed or efficiency. Understanding the nuances between agilizar and its alternatives will greatly enhance your expressive range. Let's compare some of the most common synonyms.

Acelerar: The most general term for speeding up. It focuses on the increase of velocity. Acelerar el coche vs. Agilizar el trámite.
Facilitar: To make something easier. While agilizar often makes things easier, its primary goal is speed through efficiency. Facilitar is about reducing difficulty.
Dinamizar: To energize or make something more dynamic. This is often used for economies or groups. 'Dinamizar el mercado' means to put life and movement into it.
Expedir / Despachar: These are more specific to shipping or official documents. 'Despachar un asunto' means to deal with a matter quickly to get it out of the way.

When choosing between these, consider the 'why' behind the speed. Is it faster because you are pushing harder (acelerar), because it's less heavy (aligerar), because it's simpler (simplificar), or because the process is now more fluid and well-organized (agilizar)?

Podemos agilizar el proyecto si eliminamos las reuniones innecesarias.

In formal writing, viabilizar is another interesting alternative. It means to make something viable or possible, often by removing bureaucratic hurdles. However, agilizar remains the most common and versatile choice for general 'streamlining'. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you want to say the opposite of agilizar, you would use obstaculizar (to hinder) or retrasar (to delay).

Another word often confused is activar. While activar means to start something or make it active, agilizar assumes it is already running but needs to run better. For example, you 'activas' a protocol, but you 'agilizas' its execution. Understanding these subtle distinctions will make your Spanish sound much more sophisticated and precise.

Es necesario agilizar la respuesta ante emergencias climáticas.

In conclusion, while many words touch upon the concept of speed, agilizar is unique in its focus on structural efficiency and 'agility'. It is the preferred term for modernizing processes and ensuring that systems function at their peak potential without unnecessary drag.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'agile' in English and 'agilizar' in Spanish share the exact same Latin ancestor, 'agere', which means 'to do' or 'to drive'. So, 'agilizar' literally means 'to make the doing better'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /a.xi.li.'θar/

US /a.xi.li.'sar/

Last syllable (agili-ZAR)

Rhymes With

almorzar caminar empezar finalizar organizar realizar trabajar viajar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'g' like an English 'g' (as in 'go'). It should be like a breathy 'h'.
Stressing the wrong syllable. It is an oxytone word (aguda).
Pronouncing the 'z' like a voiced English 'z'. In Spanish, it is always voiceless (s or th).
Confusing the 'i' with a short English 'i'. It is always a long 'ee' sound.
Misspelling it with a 'j' (*ajilizar).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'agile' or 'ágil'.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the 'g' and the 'c/qu/z' spelling changes.

Speaking 4/5

The aspirated 'g' (x) sound can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ágil rápido hacer proceso trámite

Learn Next

dinamizar viabilizar gestión burocracia optimizar

Advanced

contingencia prerrogativa subsanar implementar

Grammar to Know

Spelling changes in -ar verbs

Verbs ending in -zar change 'z' to 'c' before 'e'. Example: Yo agilicé.

Transitive Verbs

Agilizar requires a direct object: 'Agilizamos el proceso' (We streamlined the process).

Passive 'Se'

'Se agilizan los trámites' (The procedures are being streamlined).

Infinitive as Subject

'Agilizar la mente es vital' (Sharpening the mind is vital).

Subjunctive with Impersonal Expressions

'Es necesario que el gobierno agilice la ley' (It's necessary that the government speeds up the law).

Examples by Level

Debes agilizar el paso para llegar a tiempo.

You must speed up your pace to arrive on time.

Infinitive after the modal verb 'deber'.

Vamos a agilizar la comida.

Let's speed up the meal.

Future with 'ir a'.

Agiliza tu trabajo, por favor.

Speed up your work, please.

Imperative (tú form).

Él quiere agilizar la limpieza de la casa.

He wants to speed up the house cleaning.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

Ellos agilizan el juego.

They are speeding up the game.

Present tense, 3rd person plural.

Me gusta agilizar mis tareas.

I like to speed up my tasks.

Infinitive with 'gustar'.

Agilizamos el proceso hoy.

We are speeding up the process today.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Ella agiliza su lectura.

She speeds up her reading.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

El cajero intenta agilizar la fila del supermercado.

The cashier is trying to speed up the supermarket line.

Present tense.

Necesitamos agilizar la maleta para el viaje.

We need to speed up packing the suitcase for the trip.

Infinitive after 'necesitar'.

Ayer agilicé mis estudios de español.

Yesterday I sped up my Spanish studies.

Preterite tense, 1st person singular (note the 'c' to 'qu' change: agilicé).

El jefe agilizó la reunión de esta mañana.

The boss sped up this morning's meeting.

Preterite tense, 3rd person singular.

¿Puedes agilizar el envío del paquete?

Can you speed up the sending of the package?

Infinitive after 'poder'.

Ellas agilizaron la cena para ver la película.

They sped up dinner to watch the movie.

Preterite tense, 3rd person plural.

Agilizar el correo es muy importante.

Speeding up the mail is very important.

Infinitive used as a noun.

Si agilizas, terminaremos pronto.

If you speed up, we will finish soon.

Conditional sentence type 1.

La empresa busca agilizar la producción de coches eléctricos.

The company seeks to streamline the production of electric cars.

Infinitive after 'buscar'.

Espero que agilicen el trámite de mi visa.

I hope they speed up my visa process.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Agilizar la comunicación interna es nuestra prioridad.

Streamlining internal communication is our priority.

Infinitive phrase as subject.

He agilizado mi rutina de ejercicios para ahorrar tiempo.

I have streamlined my exercise routine to save time.

Present perfect tense.

Si agilizáramos el proceso, ganaríamos más clientes.

If we were to streamline the process, we would win more clients.

Imperfect subjunctive + conditional.

El gobierno ha prometido agilizar las obras públicas.

The government has promised to expedite public works.

Present perfect + infinitive.

No podemos agilizar más la entrega sin perder calidad.

We cannot speed up the delivery any more without losing quality.

Negative sentence with 'poder'.

Agilizaste mucho la gestión de los documentos.

You sped up the management of the documents a lot.

Preterite tense, 2nd person singular.

Para agilizar la economía, el banco redujo los tipos de interés.

To stimulate the economy, the bank reduced interest rates.

Purpose clause with 'para'.

La nueva plataforma digital permite agilizar las ventas online.

The new digital platform allows for the streamlining of online sales.

Verb 'permitir' + infinitive.

Es imperativo agilizar los trámites burocráticos para las pymes.

It is imperative to streamline bureaucratic procedures for SMEs.

Impersonal expression with 'es + adjective'.

Agilizar la mente con acertijos es un buen hábito.

Sharpening the mind with riddles is a good habit.

Gerund-like use of infinitive.

La empresa está agilizando su reestructuración interna.

The company is speeding up its internal restructuring.

Present progressive.

Dudo que agilicen la resolución del conflicto pronto.

I doubt they will speed up the resolution of the conflict soon.

Present subjunctive after 'dudar que'.

Se han tomado medidas para agilizar el tráfico en el centro.

Measures have been taken to speed up traffic in the city center.

Passive 'se' + present perfect.

Agilizamos la logística para cumplir con los plazos.

We streamlined the logistics to meet the deadlines.

Preterite tense, 1st person plural.

La digitalización de la justicia busca agilizar los procesos judiciales.

The digitalization of justice seeks to expedite judicial processes.

Complex subject with 'de'.

Es fundamental agilizar la transición hacia energías renovables.

It is fundamental to accelerate the transition toward renewable energies.

Abstract noun 'transición' as object.

El tratado pretende agilizar el comercio transatlántico.

The treaty aims to facilitate/speed up transatlantic trade.

Verb 'pretender' + infinitive.

Agilizar la respuesta ante desastres naturales salva vidas.

Expediting the response to natural disasters saves lives.

Complex infinitive phrase as subject.

La reforma laboral agilizará la contratación de jóvenes.

The labor reform will speed up the hiring of young people.

Future tense.

Habría que agilizar la toma de decisiones en el consejo.

One should speed up the decision-making in the council.

Impersonal 'habría que' + infinitive.

El uso de algoritmos ha agilizado la detección de fraudes.

The use of algorithms has sped up fraud detection.

Present perfect.

Agilizando los pagos, mejoramos el flujo de caja.

By speeding up payments, we improve cash flow.

Gerund expressing 'by doing'.

La agilización de los flujos migratorios requiere consenso internacional.

The streamlining of migratory flows requires international consensus.

Noun form 'agilización'.

Se debate si la IA agilizará o desplazará el intelecto humano.

It is debated whether AI will sharpen or displace human intellect.

Alternative future outcomes.

Agilizar la burocracia estatal es un reto perenne para la nación.

Streamlining state bureaucracy is a perennial challenge for the nation.

Complex philosophical subject.

El autor propone agilizar la narrativa mediante el uso de elipsis.

The author proposes to speed up the narrative through the use of ellipsis.

Literary context.

No basta con agilizar; hay que humanizar los procesos médicos.

It is not enough to speed things up; one must humanize medical processes.

Contrast between two infinitives.

La globalización ha agilizado la difusión de paradigmas culturales.

Globalization has accelerated the spread of cultural paradigms.

Sociological context.

Agilizamos el despliegue técnico para mitigar el impacto ambiental.

We expedited the technical deployment to mitigate environmental impact.

Preterite, formal context.

Cualquier intento de agilizar la ley debe respetar los derechos humanos.

Any attempt to expedite the law must respect human rights.

Quantifier 'cualquier' + noun + infinitive.

Common Collocations

agilizar los trámites

agilizar el proceso

agilizar la gestión

agilizar la mente

agilizar las ventas

agilizar el tráfico

agilizar el paso

agilizar la entrega

agilizar la resolución

agilizar el pago

Common Phrases

Para agilizar las cosas...

— To speed things up... Used to introduce a suggestion for efficiency.

Para agilizar las cosas, yo traeré los documentos mañana.

Hay que agilizar esto.

— We need to speed this up. A common expression in meetings.

Llevamos una hora aquí; hay que agilizar esto.

Agilizar la marcha.

— To speed up the pace, either literally or figuratively.

Si no agilizamos la marcha, no terminaremos el proyecto a tiempo.

Agilizar el trámite.

— To speed up the paperwork. Very common in government contexts.

Fui a la oficina para ver si podían agilizar el trámite.

Agilizar la mente.

— To sharpen or speed up one's thinking.

Los juegos de lógica son ideales para agilizar la mente.

Agilizar los pagos.

— To expedite payments.

La empresa implementó un sistema para agilizar los pagos a proveedores.

Agilizar la respuesta.

— To speed up the response time.

Es vital agilizar la respuesta médica en caso de accidente.

Agilizar el servicio.

— To speed up service (in a restaurant or shop).

Contrataron más meseros para agilizar el servicio durante la cena.

Agilizar la burocracia.

— To streamline bureaucracy.

El candidato prometió agilizar la burocracia para los emprendedores.

Agilizar los movimientos.

— To make one's physical movements more fluid and fast.

El atleta entrena para agilizar sus movimientos en la cancha.

Often Confused With

agilizar vs apresurar

Apresurar means to hurry, often with a sense of stress. Agilizar means to make efficient.

agilizar vs aligerar

Aligerar means to make lighter (weight). Sometimes used for work, but agilizar is better for speed.

agilizar vs acelerar

Acelerar is for physical speed (cars). Agilizar is for processes.

Idioms & Expressions

"Agilizar el brazo"

— To get moving or start working hard on something physical.

¡Vamos, agilicen el brazo que hay mucho que cargar!

informal

"Agilizar las piernas"

— To run or walk faster.

Agiliza las piernas o perderemos el autobús.

informal

"Agilizar el ingenio"

— To sharpen one's wits or come up with a clever solution quickly.

Ante la crisis, tuvo que agilizar el ingenio para sobrevivir.

literary

"Agilizar el trámite (figurative)"

— To skip formalities to get to the point.

Deja de hablar del clima y agilicemos el trámite: ¿cuánto quieres por el coche?

neutral

"Agilizar la lengua"

— To start speaking more fluently or quickly (often after practice or a drink).

Después de un café, se le agilizó la lengua y empezó a contar historias.

informal

"Agilizar la pluma"

— To write faster or more fluently.

El periodista tuvo que agilizar la pluma para entregar la nota a tiempo.

literary

"Agilizar el coco"

— To think fast (informal version of 'agilizar la mente').

¡Agiliza el coco y resuelve este problema!

informal/slang

"Agilizar la mano"

— To work faster with one's hands.

Agilicen la mano, muchachos, que el jefe viene pronto.

informal

"Agilizar el paso (figurative)"

— To make progress in a project or life stage.

Debemos agilizar el paso si queremos casarnos este año.

neutral

"Agilizar la vista"

— To scan or look for something quickly and efficiently.

Agiliza la vista y encuentra las llaves en este desorden.

neutral

Easily Confused

agilizar vs acelerar

Both mean 'to speed up'.

Acelerar is for velocity and physical speed. Agilizar is for efficiency and streamlining processes.

Acelera el coche, pero agiliza el trámite.

agilizar vs facilitar

Both make things easier.

Facilitar focuses on ease; agilizar focuses on speed through efficiency.

Facilítame el libro, pero agiliza la lectura.

agilizar vs apresurar

Both imply doing something faster.

Apresurar implies rushing or urgency. Agilizar implies better organization.

No te apresures, pero agilicemos el trabajo.

agilizar vs aligerar

Both can mean making a task go faster.

Aligerar means to make something lighter (weight/burden). Agilizar means making it move faster.

Aligera la mochila, agiliza tu caminar.

agilizar vs dinamizar

Both imply more movement.

Dinamizar is about adding energy/activity. Agilizar is about removing friction/delay.

Dinamizar la economía agilizará el comercio.

Sentence Patterns

Hay que agilizar [noun].

Hay que agilizar la fila.

[Subject] quiere agilizar [noun].

El jefe quiere agilizar la reunión.

Para agilizar [noun], [action].

Para agilizar el proceso, necesitamos más personal.

Se busca agilizar [noun].

Se busca agilizar la entrega de los pedidos.

Es fundamental que se agilice [noun].

Es fundamental que se agilice la justicia en el país.

La [noun] permite agilizar [noun].

La tecnología permite agilizar la comunicación global.

Agilizar [noun] conlleva [consequence].

Agilizar la burocracia conlleva un aumento en la inversión extranjera.

Lejos de agilizar, [action] entorpece.

Lejos de agilizar, la nueva normativa entorpece la producción.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional, news, and administrative contexts. Medium in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 'acelerar' for paperwork. → Agilizar los trámites.
Acelerar sounds like you are pushing a car pedal. Agilizar sounds like you are making the system work better.
Spelling it 'ajilizar'. → Agilizar.
It comes from 'ágil', which uses a 'g'.
Saying 'El proceso agiliza'. → El proceso se agiliza.
In Spanish, processes don't 'agilizar' on their own; they are streamlined (passive 'se').
Using 'agilizar' to tell a friend to hurry up in a casual way. → ¡Date prisa! / ¡Apúrate!
Agilizar is a bit too formal for shouting at a friend in a park.
Confusing 'agilizar' with 'aligerar'. → Agilizar el paso (speed up), Aligerar la carga (lighten load).
While related, 'aligerar' is about weight, 'agilizar' is about speed/efficiency.

Tips

Professionalism

Use 'agilizar' in your resume or job interviews to describe how you improved processes. It shows you value efficiency.

Spelling Alert

Remember: agilice, agilicé. The 'z' becomes 'c' before 'e'. This is a rule for all -zar verbs.

Mental Agility

Use the phrase 'agilizar la mente' when talking about learning, puzzles, or staying sharp.

Bureaucracy

Whenever you are talking about paperwork (trámites), reach for the word 'agilizar'. It's the most natural fit.

Agilizar vs Acelerar

If you are removing steps to make it faster, use 'agilizar'. If you are just going faster, use 'acelerar'.

Group Action

In a group, '¡Agilicemos!' is a great way to motivate everyone to finish a task efficiently.

News Keywords

Look for this word in headlines about 'reformas' (reforms). It usually indicates a positive change.

The Soft G

The 'g' in agilizar is like the 'j' in 'José'. It's a breathy sound made in the back of the throat.

The Agile Lizard

Visualize an agile lizard (Agili-zar) quickly running through a maze.

Modernize

Pair 'agilizar' with 'digitalizar' (to digitalize) as they often go together in modern Spanish.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'Agile' lizard (A-gili-zar) running super fast through a 'process' of rocks. The lizard makes the path look easy and quick.

Visual Association

Imagine a conveyor belt that is currently tangled. Now imagine a hand reaching in and 'agilizando' it—straightening the belt so the boxes fly through smoothly.

Word Web

Ágil Proceso Trámite Eficiencia Rapidez Modernizar Fluidez Optimizar

Challenge

Try to use 'agilizar' in three different contexts today: one about your chores, one about your work, and one about your mental state.

Word Origin

From the Spanish adjective 'ágil', which comes from the Latin 'agilis' (nimble, quick). The suffix '-izar' is used to form verbs meaning 'to make' or 'to become'.

Original meaning: To make agile.

Romance (Latin root)

Cultural Context

No particular sensitivities; it is a very safe and professional word.

English speakers might use 'streamline', 'expedite', or 'fast-track'. 'Agilizar' covers all of these.

Used frequently in 'El País' and other major Spanish newspapers regarding legal reforms. Common in business manuals translated into Spanish (e.g., Lean Six Sigma). Found in government websites (e.g., 'Agilizar trámites de extranjería').

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office/Work

Agilizar el flujo de trabajo.
Agilizar la toma de decisiones.
Agilizar el envío de correos.
Agilizar las reuniones semanales.

Government/Legal

Agilizar los trámites de visa.
Agilizar la resolución judicial.
Agilizar la burocracia estatal.
Agilizar el registro civil.

Physical/Sports

Agilizar los reflejos.
Agilizar el juego de pies.
Agilizar el ritmo de carrera.
Agilizar los movimientos del cuerpo.

Mental/Education

Agilizar el cálculo mental.
Agilizar la comprensión lectora.
Agilizar el aprendizaje de idiomas.
Agilizar la memoria.

Daily Life

Agilizar las compras.
Agilizar la salida de casa.
Agilizar el pago de facturas.
Agilizar la preparación de la cena.

Conversation Starters

"¿Qué crees que podríamos hacer para agilizar el tráfico en esta ciudad?"

"¿Conoces algún truco para agilizar el aprendizaje de vocabulario nuevo?"

"¿Crees que la tecnología realmente ayuda a agilizar nuestras vidas o nos estresa más?"

"¿Qué trámites burocráticos te gustaría agilizar en tu país?"

"¿Cómo intentas agilizar tu mente durante el tiempo libre?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una situación en la que tuviste que agilizar un proceso en tu trabajo o escuela.

Escribe sobre cómo la inteligencia artificial podría agilizar la educación en el futuro.

Reflexiona sobre la importancia de agilizar los trámites para los inmigrantes en tu ciudad.

Haz una lista de tres cosas en tu rutina diaria que te gustaría agilizar y explica cómo lo harías.

¿Prefieres agilizar las cosas y terminar rápido o tomarte tu tiempo aunque sea lento? ¿Por qué?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not usually. For a car, you use 'acelerar'. You would only use 'agilizar' if you were talking about the 'movement' or 'flow' of traffic as a whole, not the individual vehicle's speed.

It is professional and neutral. It's perfect for work, school, and the news. It's not overly formal, but it's more sophisticated than 'hacer rápido'.

The noun form is 'agilización'. For example: 'La agilización de los trámites es necesaria'.

'Agilizar' is the best translation for 'streamline' in almost all contexts involving processes or workflows.

Yes! For 'yo', it is 'agilicé'. The 'z' changes to 'c' to keep the soft 'th/s' sound before the 'e'.

Generally, no. You 'agilizas' a process or a person's *movements* or *mind*, but you don't 'agilizar' a person directly. Use 'apresurar' for that.

It is 'agilizar' with a 'g'. It comes from the adjective 'ágil'.

The most common opposites are 'obstaculizar' (to hinder) or 'retrasar' (to delay).

Yes! You can 'agilizar los reflejos' (speed up reflexes) or 'agilizar los movimientos' (make movements more agile).

Yes, it is very common across all Spanish-speaking countries, especially in business and government.