Entrenar Listening file: To listen to the Spanish pronunciation of "entrenar", click here Entrenar. You can also click here:... English translation: To train, to instruct. The Spanish verb "entrenar" is a regular verb and belongs to the first conjugation type (that is, to the group of verbs (infintives) ending in -ar.). Spanish synonyms (According to WordReference.com): adiestrar, ensayar, preparar Etymology: from French "entraîner".

Definitions:
Wordreference.com includes the following definitions:
(English translations (in blue) are literal, word by word, so you can recognize Spanish words and meanings)

1. Preparar o adiestrar física, técnica y psíquicamente a personas o animales, especialmente para mejorar el dominio de un deporte. ("To prepare or train physically, technically and psychologically persons or animals, especially to improve the knowledge of a sport.)

2. Adiestrar a alguien en el manejo de algo. ("To teach - train- someone -on the use of something.")

Examples:

- Juan entrena al equipo de baloncesto de la ciudad. (John is training the city basketball team.)

- Es necesario entrenar todos los días para ser un buen deportista.
(It is necessary to train every day to be a good athlete.)

Uses and expressions:
WordReference.com includes two expressions with "entrenar":

- "entrenar duro" (to train hard)
Example: - María entrena duro todos los días. (Mary is training hard every day.)

- "entrenar el oído" (to rain one's ear)
Example: - Para ser músico, tú necesitas entrenar tu oído. (To be a musician, you need to train your ear.)

The Rae.es section called "Diccionario Panhispánico de Dudas" includes the following about "entrenar(se)":

The verb entrenar can be either transitive (Verb + Direct Object Complement) or intransitive (no D.O. in the sentence).

When used as an intransitive verb, we have two options:

a. We can use the pronominal form of the verb entrenar: entrenarse.
For example: Mi equipo se entrena todos los viernes. (My team trains every Friday.)

b. But we can also use the non-pronominal form, which is becoming more and more common:
Example: Mi equipo entrena todos los viernes. (My team trains every Friday.)

Listening file: To listen to the Spanish words and sentences in this article, click here: Entrenar. You can also click here:...

Sources:
Wordreference.com
Real Academia de la Lengua Española