aprovechar
verbCEFR B2High frequency
What does “aprovechar” mean in English?
to take advantage of, to make use of
to take advantage of, to make use of (positive: aprovechar la oportunidad; negative: aprovecharse de = exploit unfairly)
Example sentences
La empresa aprovechó la apertura del mercado para lanzar sus productos antes que sus competidores.
The company took advantage of the market opening to launch its products before its competitors.
Hay que aprovechar este periodo de estabilidad para llevar a cabo las reformas necesarias.
This period of stability must be taken advantage of to carry out the necessary reforms.
Se aprovechó de la confianza de sus socios para desviar fondos sin que nadie se percatara.
He took unfair advantage of his partners' trust to divert funds without anyone noticing.
How to use it
Aprovechar means 'to take advantage of', 'to make use of', or 'to exploit (an opportunity)'. At B2 it is the go-to verb for opportunistic use of circumstances, time, or resources: aprovechar la coyuntura, aprovechar la ocasión, aprovechar el tiempo. It is transitive. The reflexive aprovecharse de has a more negative connotation — taking unfair advantage of a person or situation. The noun is el aprovechamiento. Don't confuse with explotar (which can mean exploit in a darker sense, especially explotar a alguien — to exploit a person).
Common mistake
Aprovechar (positive use) vs. aprovecharse de (exploitative use) is a key B2 distinction. Aprovechar el tiempo = to make good use of time (positive). Aprovecharse de alguien = to take unfair advantage of someone (negative). Sacar partido de is a synonym of the positive aprovechar. Don't use explotar for this sense in formal contexts — aprovechar is more neutral and appropriate.