especializarse (en)
verbCEFR B2
What does “especializarse (en)” mean in English?
to specialise
to specialise (in) (especializarse en — develop expertise in a specific area)
Example sentences
Tras varios años como generalista, decidió especializarse en derecho medioambiental para tener más impacto.
After several years as a generalist, she decided to specialise in environmental law to have more impact.
El laboratorio se ha especializado en el desarrollo de vacunas para enfermedades tropicales desatendidas.
The laboratory has specialised in developing vaccines for neglected tropical diseases.
Le recomendaron especializarse antes de buscar trabajo para diferenciarse en un mercado laboral competitivo.
He was advised to specialise before looking for work to stand out in a competitive job market.
How to use it
Especializarse (en) means 'to specialise (in)'. It is always reflexive and always followed by en: especializarse en derecho, en cirugía, en marketing digital. The non-reflexive especializar means to make something specialised (especializar la formación — to make training more specialised), but the reflexive is far more common at B2. Common collocations: decidió especializarse, ha conseguido especializarse, se ha especializado en.
Common mistake
Always reflexive: especializarse, never *especializar solo in the career sense. Always en: *especializarse de, *especializarse con are wrong. Don't confuse with enfocarse en (focus on — a temporary direction) — especializarse implies sustained expertise development.