Spanish word

aprovechar

Pronunciation

IPA/apɾoβeˈtʃaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbtake advantage of

Example

Hay que aprovechar las oportunidades.

You have to take advantage of opportunities.

Illustration for aprovechar (take advantage of)

More examples

Es importante aprovechar el tiempo.

It is important to make the most of time.

Core concept

Turning an available opportunity or resource into practical benefit.

Common phrases

  • aprovechar el tiempo

    make the most of time

  • aprovechar las oportunidades

    make the most of opportunities

Similar words

usar: Uses an object or tool in its ordinary, intended way for a direct purpose.
utilizar: Uses a tool or method specifically as a means to achieve a particular purpose.
emplear: Allocates time or other resources to carry out a specific task or goal.
aprovecharse: Takes unfair advantage of a person or situation to gain personal benefit.

Definition in Spanish

Usar algo o una situación para obtener beneficio o sacar provecho.

Word origin

The verb is formed from the prefix a- plus Spanish provechar (related to the noun provecho), and provecho ultimately comes from Latin proventus via the verb provenire meaning 'to come forth'.

Usage tips

  • Aprovecharse de means to exploit a person and carries a negative sense, while aprovechar without se normally means productively using things or situations.

Other meanings

  • make use ofverb
  • put to good useverb
  • make the most ofverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word