desarrollo
“desarrollo” means “development” in Spanish (general progress or growth).
development
Also: growth, unfolding, evolution
📝 In Action
El desarrollo económico de la región ha mejorado mucho.
B1The economic development of the region has improved a lot.
Necesitas un plan para tu desarrollo profesional.
B1You need a plan for your professional development.
El desarrollo de la película fue lento pero interesante.
B2The unfolding/development of the film was slow but interesting.
La niñez es una etapa clave para el desarrollo del lenguaje.
B2Childhood is a key stage for language development.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: desarrollo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'desarrollo'?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the verb 'desarrollar,' which literally means 'to unroll.' It’s formed by combining the prefix 'des-' (meaning 'un-' or 'undo') and 'arrollar' (meaning 'to roll up'). Think of a scroll being unrolled to reveal its contents or plan.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'desarrollo' used for personal growth?
Absolutely! It's very common to talk about 'desarrollo personal' (personal development) or 'desarrollo profesional' (professional development) when referring to improving yourself or your career.
How is 'desarrollo' different from 'crecimiento'?
Both mean growth, but 'crecimiento' (growth) often implies a quantitative increase (like height or sales figures). 'Desarrollo' (development) usually implies a qualitative improvement, maturity, or complexity—a process of becoming better or more organized.