Spanish word

desarrollar

Pronunciation

IPA/desaroˈʝaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbdevelop

Example

Quiero desarrollar mis habilidades.

I want to develop my skills.

Illustration for desarrollar (develop)

More examples

Para mejorar, debes desarrollar hábitos diarios.

To improve, you should develop daily habits.

Core concept

An unrolled scroll gradually revealing more content.

Common phrases

  • desarrollar habilidades

    develop skills

  • desarrollar confianza

    build confidence

  • desarrollar hábitos

    develop habits

Similar words

mejorar: Causes something to become better in condition or quality.
crecer: Grows in size or amount naturally over time.
progresar: Advances step by step, showing gradual improvement in ability or situation.
madurar: Matures over time until fully developed and stable.

Definition in Spanish

Poner en marcha o potenciar progresivamente una capacidad, proyecto o actividad hasta lograr mayor alcance o calidad.

Word origin

It comes from Spanish des- "undo" plus arrollar "to roll up", originally meaning "to unroll" and thus "to unfold or bring something out progressively".

Usage tips

  • When the subject is a person, Spanish often uses desarrollarse (for example Quiero desarrollarme), while desarrollar usually takes a direct object for something being developed.

Other meanings

  • buildverb
  • fosterverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word