Spanish present tense consonant change c>z in -cer/-cir verbs

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA

Last updated: 2022-11-06

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In Spanish, verbs that end in -cer/-cir preceded by a consonant change the -c to -z in the El Presente yo form. Take a look at the verb convencer (to convince) in El Presente.

Consonant+CER/CIR verb	CONVENCER (to convince)
yo	convenzo
tú	convences
él / ella usted	convence
nosotros/nosotras	convencemos
vosotros/vosotras	convencéis
ellos/ellas ustedes	convencen

Notice how -c in the infinitive has switched to -z in the yo form.

Some uncommon verbs with consonant+cer and consonant+cir are:

ejercer (to practice [a profession])
vencer (to win)
zurcir (to darn/mend)
esparcir (to spread/scatter)

Here are some examples:

Nunca convenzo a mi novia a ir al teatro.I never convince my girlfriend to go the theatre.

Ella esparce los papeles por el suelo.She scatters the pieces of paper on the floor.

¿Tú zurces los calcetines con agujeros?Do you mend socks with holes?

Yo siempre te venzo cuando jugamos al ajedrez.I always beat you when we play chess.

¿Qué tal si esparcimos todas las revistas por la mesa?How about if we scatter all the magazines on the table?

Ellas convencen a todo el mundo.They convince everyone.

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