complementar(se)

What does “complementar(se)” mean in English?

1. to complement, to supplement

   to complement, to supplement (complementarse — mutually enhance; complementar = add to)

Example sentences

• Los dos enfoques se complementan perfectamente, ya que uno aporta rigor cuantitativo y el otro perspectiva cualitativa.

  The two approaches complement each other perfectly, as one provides quantitative rigour and the other qualitative perspective.

• El equipo decidió complementar la encuesta con entrevistas en profundidad para obtener datos más ricos.

  The team decided to supplement the survey with in-depth interviews to obtain richer data.

• Su formación técnica se complementa a la perfección con las habilidades comunicativas que ha desarrollado.

  His technical training complements perfectly the communication skills he has developed.

How to use it

Complementar means 'to complement' or 'to supplement'. The reflexive complementarse means 'to complement each other' (the two approaches complement each other). The non-reflexive complementar means to supplement something with an addition: complementar la dieta (supplement the diet), complementar los ingresos (supplement income). Key distinction: complementar = add something that enhances or completes; suplementar = add extra (more mechanical/quantity-focused). Complementarse implies mutual enhancement between two things.