prosperar
verbCEFR B2
What does “prosperar” mean in English?
1.to flourish, to thrive
to flourish, to thrive (intransitive; to grow vigorously; also parliamentary: no prosperó = was not passed)
2.to prosper, to thrive
to prosper, to thrive (prosperar en + context — succeed and grow; also: a plan/motion succeeds)
3.to prosper, to succeed
to prosper, to succeed (to achieve financial or social success; el negocio prosperó)
Example sentences
Las pequeñas empresas han prosperado en zonas donde el tejido asociativo es sólido y la cooperación es la norma.
Small businesses have flourished in areas where the associative fabric is strong and cooperation is the norm.
La propuesta de reforma no prosperó en el parlamento por la falta de apoyo entre los grupos minoritarios.
The reform proposal did not succeed in parliament due to the lack of support among minority groups.
Para que una cultura emprendedora prospere, es necesario que el marco regulatorio reduzca las trabas burocráticas.
For an entrepreneurial culture to flourish, the regulatory framework must reduce bureaucratic obstacles.
How to use it
Prosperar means 'to prosper', 'to flourish', or 'to thrive'. It is intransitive. At B2 it describes businesses, communities, or initiatives growing and succeeding. It can also mean 'to succeed / to be approved' in a legal or parliamentary sense: el recurso no prosperó (the appeal did not succeed). The noun is la prosperidad. Don't confuse with florecer (to flower/bloom — more literary, often used for cultures or ideas), though they overlap; prosperar has a more material and economic flavour.
Common mistake
Prosperar has an important secondary sense — 'to succeed/be approved' for legal appeals, proposals, and motions. El recurso no prosperó = the appeal was rejected/did not succeed. This is quite different from the prosperity sense. Distinguish from crecer (to grow — size or quantity) and triunfar (to triumph/succeed — more dramatic).