Inklingo

How to Say "to develop" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to develop” is “desarrollar” — use 'desarrollar' when referring to the process of improving, growing, or creating something abstract like an idea, a skill, or even a physical body over time..

English → Spanish

desarrollar

/deh-sah-rroh-YAR//desaroˈʝar/

verbB1general
Use 'desarrollar' when referring to the process of improving, growing, or creating something abstract like an idea, a skill, or even a physical body over time.
A small green plant growing from a tiny sprout into a larger seedling in a pot of soil.

Examples

Necesitamos desarrollar un plan de acción.

We need to develop an action plan.

Él hace ejercicio para desarrollar sus músculos.

He exercises to develop his muscles.

A regular 'ar' verb

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, making it easy to conjugate once you know the basics.

Spelling: Double 'r' and double 'l'

Mistake: “Writing 'desarolar' or 'desarrollar' with one 'r'.”

Correction: Always use two 'r's after the first syllable and two 'l's at the end. Think of 'roll' in English to remember the double 'l'.

explotar

eks-plo-TAR/eks.ploˈtaɾ/

verbB1general
Choose 'explotar' when you mean to utilize or make full use of a resource, business opportunity, or potential, often in an economic or strategic sense.
A smiling person carefully collecting ripe apples from a heavily laden apple tree and placing them into a large woven basket, representing resource utilization.

Examples

Necesitamos explotar las energías renovables de la región.

We need to utilize the region's renewable energy sources.

El director supo explotar su talento para la música.

The director knew how to capitalize on his talent for music.

La compañía va a explotar un nuevo yacimiento de cobre.

The company is going to mine a new copper deposit.

Different meanings

Remember that 'explotar' can mean 'to blow up' or 'to use/utilize.' The context will tell you which one is correct. If it’s about resources, it means utilization.

formar

for-MAR/foɾˈmaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'formar' when the focus is on personal or professional growth, training, or education, implying the acquisition of knowledge or skills.
A lone person sitting and concentrating intensely while successfully juggling three brightly colored balls, demonstrating self-training.

Examples

Ella quiere formarse en energías renovables.

She wants to train/study in renewable energy.

Es importante formarse continuamente para el mercado laboral.

It is important to continually educate oneself for the job market.

Se formaron como un gran equipo con el tiempo.

They developed into a great team over time.

Reflexive Use ('Se')

When you use 'formarse,' the action is happening to the subject. The 'se' (or 'me,' 'te,' 'nos,' 'os') tells you that the person is training or developing themselves.

trabajar

/tra-ba-HAR//tɾa.βaˈxaɾ/

verbB1general
Employ 'trabajar' when describing the physical act of creating or shaping something, particularly a craft or material, through skillful effort.
A focused artisan shaping a piece of brown leather with simple hand tools on a wooden workbench.

Examples

El artesano trabaja el cuero con mucha habilidad.

The artisan works the leather with great skill.

Tenemos que trabajar más la presentación antes de la reunión.

We have to work on the presentation more before the meeting.

Los agricultores trabajan la tierra para prepararla para la siembra.

The farmers work the land to prepare it for planting.

A Verb that Takes an Object

In this sense, 'trabajar' usually needs something that receives the action. You don't just 'work', you 'work something' (the wood, the idea, the land).

General vs. Specific Action

Learners often confuse 'desarrollar' with other verbs like 'explotar' or 'trabajar'. Remember, 'desarrollar' is for abstract growth or creation, while 'explotar' implies active utilization of resources and 'trabajar' refers to the hands-on crafting process.

Related Translations

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