potenciar
“potenciar” means “to boost” in Spanish (to increase the power or effect of something).
to boost
Also: to enhance, to strengthen, to maximize
📝 In Action
Queremos potenciar el turismo en nuestra ciudad.
B1We want to boost tourism in our city.
Este curso te ayudará a potenciar tus habilidades creativas.
B2This course will help you maximize your creative skills.
El gobierno busca potenciar la economía local.
C1The government seeks to strengthen the local economy.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: potenciar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence best uses 'potenciar' to mean maximizing a skill?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Spanish noun 'potencia' (power), which comes from the Latin 'potentia,' meaning force or capacity.
First recorded: 19th century (modern usage)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'potenciar' the same as 'mejorar'?
Not exactly. 'Mejorar' simply means to make better. 'Potenciar' is more aggressive; it means to boost, amplify, or exploit the full power of something that already exists.
Can I use 'potenciar' for people?
Yes, but usually to refer to their skills, talents, or abilities. For example, 'potenciar a los empleados' means to help employees reach their full potential.
Does it have a mathematical meaning?
Yes, in math, it can refer to raising a number to a power, though 'elevar a la potencia' is more common.