duplicar
verbCEFR B2
What does “duplicar” mean in English?
to make something twice as large, numerous or great; to double a quantity
Example sentences
La empresa logró duplicar sus beneficios en solo dos años gracias a la nueva estrategia.
The company managed to double its profits in just two years thanks to the new strategy.
El precio de la vivienda se duplicó en la última década en varias grandes ciudades.
Housing prices doubled over the last decade in several major cities.
How to use it
Duplicar (regular -ar verb, from duplo, double) means 'to double' or 'to duplicate' a quantity: duplicar las ventas, duplicar la producción. The reflexive duplicarse means 'to double' intransitively (los precios se duplicaron). Common in economic and statistical reporting.
Common mistake
Duplicar (transitive: someone/something doubles a quantity) and duplicarse (reflexive/intransitive: a quantity doubles by itself, e.g. through market forces) describe the same numeric change from different grammatical perspectives.
Topics
Related B2 words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Nociones específicas: trabajo y econo.