enfocar

Enfocar is a Spanish verb meaning to bring into focus or to focus. It is used to describe both optical adjustment and the act of directing attention or resources toward a specific goal. In photography and optics, enfocar refers to adjusting a lens so that an image appears sharp; in everyday language, it can mean concentrating efforts, ideas, or study on a particular subject.

Etymology and related forms: Enfocar derives from foco, the noun for "focus," with the prefix en- that yields “to bring to a focus.” The noun foco itself comes from Latin focus. Related terms include enfoque (focus), enfocado (focused), and enfocar as the base verb; the reflexive enfocarse is used to describe focusing one’s attention or efforts on something.

Conjugation notes: Enfocar is a regular -ar verb. Common forms include present indicative: yo enfoco, tú enfocas, él enfoca, nosotros enfocamos, vosotros enfocáis, ellos enfocan; preterite: enfoqué, enfocaste, enfocó, enfocamos, enfocasteis, enfocaron; imperfect: enfocaba, enfocabas, enfocaba, enfocábamos, enfocabais, enfocaban; future: enfocaré, enfocarás, enfocará, enfocaremos, enfocaréis, enfocarán. The present subjunctive forms include enfoque, enfoques, enfoque, enfoquemos, enfoquéis, enfoquen. The verb enfocar may appear with reflexive enfocarse: me enfoco, te enfocas, se enfoca, nos enfocamos, os enfocáis, se enfocan.

Usage examples: In photography, “La cámara no logra enfocar la escena” (The camera cannot focus the scene). In everyday speech, “Tenemos que enfocarnos en el problema” (We need to focus on the problem). The reflexive form enfatizes directing one’s own attention or efforts: “Me enfoco en ese proyecto.”