desarrollar
verbCEFR B1High frequency
What does “desarrollar” mean in English?
1.to develop
to develop (a skill, quality, or capacity)
2.to develop, carry out
to develop, carry out (a project, plan, or product)
Example sentences
Con la práctica diaria, he desarrollado una capacidad de escucha que antes no tenía y que me ayuda mucho en las entrevistas de trabajo.
Through daily practice, I have developed a listening ability I didn't have before, and it helps me a lot in job interviews.
El equipo tardó seis meses en desarrollar la aplicación, pero al final lograron lanzarla antes de la fecha límite.
The team took six months to develop the app, but in the end they managed to launch it before the deadline.
Es importante que los estudiantes desarrollen pensamiento crítico desde los primeros años de carrera.
It is important that students develop critical thinking from the first years of their degree.
How to use it
Desarrollar means 'to develop' and is a transitive verb — it always takes a direct object (develop something). At B1 it has two core senses: (1) developing a skill, quality, or capacity (desarrollar habilidades, desarrollar la paciencia), and (2) developing or carrying out a project, idea, or plan (desarrollar un proyecto, desarrollar una estrategia). Both senses are common in academic and professional contexts.
Common mistake
English 'develop' can mean 'grow naturally' (the project developed well) but Spanish desarrollar is nearly always transitive — something develops something else. For the intransitive sense, use desarrollarse: el proyecto se desarrolló bien.