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How to Say ‘Don't strain yourself’ in Mexican Spanish

Usted no se esfuerce

oo-stehd noh seh es-FWEHR-seh

[oo-stehd noh seh es-FWEHR-seh]

💬 Usage Tip: When you tell usted not to do something, the verb ending flips: esforzarse "to make an effort" becomes no se esfuerce. Likewise no se preocupe "don't worry".

Phrase Breakdown

Usted

[oo-stehd]

you (formal)

Formal singular pronoun for addressing someone.

Example

¿Cómo está usted?

How are you?

no se esfuerce

noh seh es-FWEHR-seh

don't strain yourself

This is a polite negative command of 'esforzarse' (to make an effort). Blend 'se es' together: 'no-se-es-FUER-ce'.

Example

No se esfuerce tanto.

Don't strain yourself so much.

Words in this phrase

[noh]

not

Used to make a word or group of words negative.

Example

No voy a ir.

I am not going.

[seh]

yourself

Reflexive pronoun for 'usted' with 'esforzarse'.

Example

No se preocupe.

Don't worry.

esfuerce

[es-FWEHR-seh]

strain / exert (yourself)

Formal subjunctive of 'esforzarse', used in negative commands.

Example

No se esfuerce mucho.

Don't strain yourself too much.

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