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aprovechar

ah-proh-veh-CHARa.pɾo.βeˈtʃaɾ

to take advantage of, to make the most of

Also: to use well, to seize (an opportunity)
VerbA2regular ar
A determined cartoon character successfully leaps across a small chasm to grab a large golden key resting on a ledge, illustrating seizing an opportunity.
infinitiveaprovechar
gerundaprovechando
past Participleaprovechado

📝 In Action

Aprovecha el sol mientras puedas.

A2

Take advantage of the sun while you can.

Debemos aprovechar esta oportunidad para viajar.

B1

We must make the most of this opportunity to travel.

¿Aprovechaste el descuento en la tienda?

B1

Did you use the discount at the store?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • utilizar (to use)
  • sacar partido de (to get benefit from)

Common Collocations

  • aprovechar el tiempo – to use time wisely
  • aprovechar la ocasión – to seize the chance

to be useful

Also: to benefit
VerbB1regular ar
A bright green watering can pouring water onto a small, thirsty flower in a patch of dirt, causing the flower to instantly perk up and look healthy.

📝 In Action

Este curso de cocina no me aprovecha mucho.

B1

This cooking course isn't benefiting me much (or isn't very useful to me).

El esfuerzo que hiciste sí aprovechó.

B2

The effort you made was indeed beneficial/useful.

to take advantage of

VerbB2pronominal (reflexive) arneutral to informal
A large, relaxed cartoon character is sitting comfortably in a red wooden wagon, while a small, struggling cartoon character pulls the heavy wagon uphill with obvious strain.

📝 In Action

No te aproveches de la generosidad de tu hermana.

B2

Don't take advantage of your sister's generosity.

Se aprovecharon de que yo no estaba para robarme.

C1

They took advantage of the fact that I wasn't there to rob me.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abusar de (to abuse)
  • explotar (to exploit)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedaprovecha
yoaprovecho
túaprovechas
ellos/ellas/ustedesaprovechan
nosotrosaprovechamos
vosotrosaprovecháis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedaprovechaba
yoaprovechaba
túaprovechabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesaprovechaban
nosotrosaprovechábamos
vosotrosaprovechabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedaprovechó
yoaproveché
túaprovechaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesaprovecharon
nosotrosaprovechamos
vosotrosaprovechasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedaproveche
yoaproveche
túaproveches
ellos/ellas/ustedesaprovechen
nosotrosaprovechemos
vosotrosaprovechéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedaprovechara
yoaprovechara
túaprovecharas
ellos/ellas/ustedesaprovecharan
nosotrosaprovecháramos
vosotrosaprovecharais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "aprovechar" in Spanish:

to benefit→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aprovechar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'aprovecharse de' (the reflexive form) correctly?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
aprovechamiento(utilization; use) — Noun
aprovechable(usable; worthwhile) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
cacharmarchitar
📚 Etymology▼

Formed by combining the Latin prefix 'a-' (to, toward) with the word 'provecho,' which comes from the Late Latin word 'profectus' meaning 'progress' or 'advance.' Essentially, 'aprovechar' means 'to move something forward' or 'to gain progress from it.'

First recorded: Medieval Spanish (13th-14th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: aproveitarCatalan: aprofitar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'aprovechar' and 'aprovecharse de'?

The non-reflexive 'aprovechar' is usually positive: 'to make good use of' or 'to seize' a chance. The reflexive 'aprovecharse de' often has a negative tone, meaning 'to exploit' or 'to take unfair advantage of' a person or weakness.

Is 'aprovechar' a stem-changing verb?

No. 'Aprovechar' is a completely regular verb. Its stem (aprovech-) never changes when you conjugate it, making it easy to learn!