reformar
verbCEFR B2
What does “reformar” mean in English?
to reform; to renovate
to reform; to renovate (reformar + noun — structural/political change; also: physical renovation)
Example sentences
El gobierno anunció su intención de reformar el sistema educativo para adaptarlo a las nuevas demandas.
The government announced its intention to reform the education system to adapt it to new demands.
Aprovecharon el verano para reformar la cocina y modernizar todos los electrodomésticos.
They used the summer to renovate the kitchen and modernise all the appliances.
How to use it
Reformar means 'to reform' or 'to renovate'. Two senses: (1) structural/political reform (reformar la ley, el sistema); (2) physical renovation (reformar un piso — renovate a flat). The political/institutional sense dominates at B2 in formal registers.
Common mistake
Reformar (reform/renovate — implies structural change) vs. modificar (modify — smaller adjustments) vs. transformar (transform — deeper change). In political contexts, reforma carries strong connotations of systemic change.