aprovechar

es
en
Change language
Translating...
make good use of, take advantage of, benefit, be useful to, make progress
Find language
/apɾobeˈt͡ʃaɾ/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
To gain value, benefit, or an advantage from what is available.

Examples

  • La empresa se aprovechó de la falta de competencia.
    The company took advantage of the lack of competition.
  • El patrón ordenó aprovechar todo lo posible.
    The skipper ordered them to head upwind as far as possible.
  • El cocinero aprovecha todas las partes de la verdura.
    The cook uses every part of the vegetable.
  • Ese cambio no aprovecha a nadie.
    That change benefits no one.
  • Se aprovechó del error para cobrar dos veces.
    He exploited the error to charge twice.

Similar words

abusar
servir
emplear
progresar
avanzar
sacar partido
prevalerse
beneficiarse
valer
exprimir

Meanings

Making good use

verb
everyday
neutral
To use time, an opportunity, or a resource well and get as much value from it as possible.

Examples

  • Tenemos que aprovechar bien el tiempo.
    We have to make good use of our time.
  • Ella aprovechó la oferta para comprar un abrigo.
    She took advantage of the offer to buy a coat.
  • Aprovecha la luz natural junto a la ventana.
    Make use of the natural light by the window.
  • El cocinero aprovecha todas las partes de la verdura.
    The cook uses every part of the vegetable.
  • Voy a aprovechar el viaje para visitar a Ana.
    I am going to use the trip as a chance to visit Ana.

Similar words

Benefiting or being useful

verb
everyday
neutral
To benefit someone or prove useful to them, a less common construction in modern everyday Spanish.

Examples

  • Este consejo te aprovechará en el trabajo.
    This advice will benefit you at work.
  • La experiencia aprovechó a todo el equipo.
    The experience benefited the whole team.
  • Dormir tan poco no te aprovecha.
    Sleeping so little does not do you any good.
  • La beca aprovechó a muchos estudiantes.
    The grant benefited many students.
  • Ese cambio no aprovecha a nadie.
    That change benefits no one.

Similar words

Making progress

verb
education
archaic
To advance in learning, virtue, or a skill, now an old-fashioned use.

Examples

  • La alumna aprovecha mucho en matemáticas.
    The pupil makes good progress in mathematics.
  • Con práctica, aprovechó rápidamente en el oficio.
    With practice, he advanced quickly in the trade.
  • Los niños aprovecharon durante el curso.
    The children made progress during the course.
  • Desde que lee a diario, aprovecha más en sus estudios.
    Since she started reading daily, she progresses more in her studies.
  • El aprendiz quiere aprovechar en el arte del grabado.
    The apprentice wants to advance in the art of engraving.

Similar words

Sailing close to the wind

verb
maritime
neutral
In sailing, to turn toward the wind as far as its current direction allows.

Examples

  • El velero aprovechó hasta acercarse a la costa.
    The sailboat sailed close to the wind until it neared the coast.
  • Conviene aprovechar antes de virar.
    It is best to head upwind before tacking.
  • La tripulación aprovecha con el viento del norte.
    The crew sails close to the wind in the north wind.
  • El patrón ordenó aprovechar todo lo posible.
    The skipper ordered them to head upwind as far as possible.
  • La embarcación aprovechaba para ganar barlovento.
    The vessel was heading upwind to gain ground to windward.

Similar words

Taking advantage unfairly

verb
social
neutral
With se and de, to gain from a person or situation, often through cleverness, pressure, or abuse.

Examples

  • No debes aprovecharte de su confianza.
    You must not take advantage of his trust.
  • La empresa se aprovechó de la falta de competencia.
    The company took advantage of the lack of competition.
  • Algunos vendedores se aprovechan de los turistas.
    Some sellers exploit tourists.
  • Se aprovechó del error para cobrar dos veces.
    He exploited the error to charge twice.
  • Cuando alguien se aprovecha de ti, conviene poner límites.
    When someone takes advantage of you, it is wise to set boundaries.

Similar words

Etymology

Formed from a- and provecho, meaning 'benefit' or 'use'.

FAQ

What does aprovechar mean?

Most often, aprovechar means to make good use of something or take advantage of an opportunity.

What is the difference between aprovechar and aprovecharse de?

Aprovechar is often neutral and means using something well, while aprovecharse de often suggests gaining unfairly from someone or something.

Is aprovechar a regular verb?

Yes. It follows the regular -ar pattern, with forms such as aprovecho, aproveché, and aprovechado.

Does aprovechar need a preposition?

The ordinary transitive verb takes a direct object, while the pronominal form is aprovecharse de something or someone.

Can aprovechar mean to make progress?

Yes, but that sense is old-fashioned and refers to progress in study, virtue, an art, or a skill.

Where does aprovechar come from?

It is formed from a- and provecho, the Spanish noun for benefit or useful gain.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...