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How to Say "to worsen" in Spanish

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agravar

ah-grah-BAHRa.ɣɾa.ˈβaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'agravar' when you want to express making a negative situation, problem, or conflict more severe.
A small crack in a stone dam getting larger with water gushing through it.

Examples

Sus palabras solo sirvieron para agravar el conflicto.

His words only served to worsen the conflict.

La falta de lluvia puede agravar la crisis económica en la región.

The lack of rain can aggravate the economic crisis in the region.

No menciones ese tema ahora, podrías agravar la situación.

Don't mention that topic now; you could make the situation worse.

Making Things Heavier

Think of 'agravar' as adding weight to a problem. It comes from the same root as 'gravity' and 'grave'.

A Regular Performer

This verb is completely regular. It follows the exact same rules as 'hablar' in every tense.

Agravar vs. Agarrar

Mistake: “Using 'agarrar' when you mean things are getting worse.”

Correction: Say 'Esto va a agravar el problema' instead of 'agarrar'. Agarrar means to grab or catch.

Don't Annoy the Word

Mistake: “Using 'agravar' to mean you are annoying a person.”

Correction: Use 'molestar' or 'fastidiar' for people. Use 'agravar' for situations or health conditions.

complicar

kom-plee-karkompliˈkaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'complicar' when referring to making a situation, especially concerning health or a process, more complex or difficult than it needs to be.
A simple drawing of a person trying to untangle a massive, messy knot of colorful yarn.

Examples

No quiero complicar las cosas más de lo necesario.

I don't want to complicate things more than necessary.

La lluvia complicó el tráfico esta mañana.

The rain made the traffic difficult this morning.

Si cambias de opinión ahora, vas a complicar todo el plan.

If you change your mind now, you're going to complicate the whole plan.

The Spelling Change in the Past

In the 'yo' form of the past (preterite), the 'c' changes to 'qu' (compliqué) to keep the hard 'K' sound. This also happens in the special form used for wishes and commands.

Using 'Se' to show things getting hard

When you add 'se' to the end (complicarse), the meaning changes from 'to complicate something' to 'to become complicated' all on its own.

Confusing the Verb and the Adjective

Mistake: “La tarea es complicar.”

Correction: La tarea es complicada. Use 'complicada' to describe a thing (adjective) and 'complicar' only for the action (verb).

aprieta

ah-pree-EH-tahaˈpɾjeta

verbB2informal
Use 'aprieta' primarily to describe intensifying difficult conditions, most commonly the heat or a period of hardship.
A bright yellow sun shining intensely over a person wiping sweat from their forehead.

Examples

En agosto el calor aprieta de verdad.

In August, the heat really gets intense.

La crisis económica aprieta a las familias.

The economic crisis is hitting families hard.

Choosing Between 'Agravar' and 'Complicar'

Learners often confuse 'agravar' and 'complicar'. Remember that 'agravar' specifically means to make something *already bad* worse, like a disease or a conflict. 'Complicar' is broader, meaning to make something more complex or difficult, not necessarily worse.

Related Translations

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