aprovechar

v.

1 to make the most of.

me gustaría aprovechar esta oportunidad para… I'd like to take this opportunity to…

aprovechar que… to make the most of the fact that…

2 to put to good use (lo inservible).

no tires los restos de la paella, los aprovecharé para hacer sopa don't throw what's left of the paella away, I'll use it to make a soup

3 to make good use of, to avail, to make use of, to utilize.

Silvia aprovecha el tiempo Silvia makes good use of the time.

4 to take the opportunity to.

María aprovecha salir Mary takes the opportunity to go out.

Silvia aprovecha que no hay nadie Silvia takes advantage that nobody's here.

5 to be useful, to be helpful, to be a help.

Las herramientas aprovechan Tools are useful.

* * *

aprovechar

► verbo transitivo

1 (emplear útilmente) to make good use of, make the most of

2 (sacar provecho) to benefit from, take advantage of

■ aprovechar la oportunidad/ocasión to seize the opportunity

► verbo intransitivo

1 to be useful, make the most of it

■ eso no aprovecha para nada that's useless

2 (avanzar) to improve, progress

► verbo pronominal aprovecharse

1 (de alguien) to take advantage (de, of); (de algo) to make the most (de, of)

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

¡que aproveche! enjoy your meal!

* * *

verb

1) to use

2) make (good) use of

•

- aprovecharse

* * *

1. VT

1) (=utilizar) use

algunas algas son aprovechadas en medicina — some algae are used in medicine

un intento de aprovechar los recursos naturales de la zona — an attempt to take advantage of o use the area's natural resources

ha sabido aprovechar la ocasión y hacer un buen negocio — he managed to take advantage o use the opportunity to make a profitable deal

no quiso aprovechar su oferta — he chose not to take up their offer

• aprovechar algo para hacer algo — to use sth to do sth, take advantage of sth to do sth

aprovechó el descanso para tomarse un café — she used o took advantage of the break to have a coffee

vamos a aprovechar este espacio para hacer un armario — we are going to use this space for a wardrobe

aproveché que tenía la tarde libre para ir de compras — I took the opportunity of having an afternoon off to go shopping

quiero aprovechar esta oportunidad para agradecerles a todos su apoyo — I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support

2) (=sacar el máximo provecho de) [+ tiempo, espacio, ocasión] to make the most of; [+ conocimientos, experiencia] to make use of, make good use of

hay que organizarse y saber aprovechar el tiempo — you have to be organized and know how to make the most of o get the most out of your time

hemos movido los muebles para aprovechar mejor el espacio — we moved the furniture to make better use of the space

sabe aprovechar muy bien su atractivo — he knows how to make the most of his good looks

Sánchez aprovechó el cansancio de su rival — Sánchez capitalized on o took advantage of her opponent's tiredness

2. VI

1) (=obtener provecho)

tú que eres soltera, aprovecha y disfruta — make the most of the fact that you're single and enjoy yourself

su estrategia no le aprovechó para nada — his strategy did not prove to be of any use o advantage to him at all

• aprovechar para hacer algo — to take the opportunity to do sth

salió a pasear y aprovechó para hacer unas compras — he went out for a walk and took the opportunity to do some shopping

aprovecha para pedirles el dinero que te deben — take the opportunity to ask them for the money they owe you

• ¡que aproveche! — [al comer] enjoy your meal!, bon appétit!, enjoy! (EEUU)

2) (=progresar) to progress

en ese curso no aprovechamos nada — we didn't get anywhere with that course

3.

See:

aprovecharse

* * *

1.

verbo transitivo

a) <tiempo/espacio/talento> to make the most of

aprovecha tu juventud — make the most of your youth

no aprovechan los recursos que tienen — they don't fully exploit the resources at their disposal

dinero/tiempo bien aprovechado — money/time well spent

es espacio mal aprovechado — it's a waste of space

b) <oportunidad> to take advantage of

voy a aprovechar que hace buen tiempo para ... — I'm going to take advantage of the good weather to ...

aprovecho la ocasión para decirles que ... — I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that ...

c) (usar) to use

aproveché los restos para ... — I used the leftovers to ...

éstas todavía se pueden aprovechar — these can still be put to good use

no tira nada, todo lo aprovecha — she doesn't throw anything away, she makes use of everything

2.

aprovechar vi

aproveché para venir a verte — I thought I'd take the opportunity to come and see you

que aproveche! — enjoy your meal, bon appétit

aprovechen ahora, que no tienen niños — make the most of it now, while you don't have children

3.

aprovecharse v pron

a) (abusar)

aprovecharse de algo/alguien — to take advantage of something/somebody, to exploit something/somebody

b) (abusar sexualmente)

aprovecharse de alguien — de una mujer to take advantage of somebody; de un niño to abuse somebody

* * *

= exploit, harness, build on/upon, sop up, put to + good use.

Ex. The Library of Congress List of Subject Headings (LCSH) can be exploited as a general index, since it shows LCC numbers for many of the headings listed.

Ex. When computers were first harnessed for information retrieval and cataloguing applications, the information retrieval systems, and some of the cataloguing systems developed in different environments.

Ex. The system should build on existing resources, rather than develop expensive new programmes.

Ex. Here are activities to sop up those extra minutes by reinforcing what you're taught.

Ex. Your advice, suggestions, comments are greatly appreciated and you can rest assured that they will be put to good use.

----

* aprovechándose de = on the coattails of.

* aprovechándose de la ocasión = opportunistically.

* aprovechar Algo al máximo = make + the most of.

* aprovechar al máximo = maximise [maximize, -USA], optimise [optimize, -USA], realise + to its full potential, exploit + full potential, take + full advantage (of), make + the best use of, get + the best out of, take + the best advantage, get + the most out of, realise + the potential, make + the best possible use of.

* aprovechar al máximo las oportunidades = maximise + opportunities.

* aprovechar el momento = catch + the moment.

* aprovechar la experiencia profesional = harness + expertise.

* aprovechar la ocasión = use + the occasion.

* aprovechar la oportunidad = grasp + the opportunity, seize + the opportunity, take + the opportunity, make + hay while the sun shines.

* aprovechar la situación = ride + the wave.

* aprovechar las posibilidades de Algo = achieve + Posesivo + full potential, develop + potential, develop + Nombre + to its full potential.

* aprovechar las posibilidades que nos ofrece = harness + the power of.

* aprovechar mejor = squeeze + more life out of.

* aprovechar mejor el dinero = get + more for + Posesivo + money.

* aprovechar oportunidades = exploit + opportunities.

* aprovechar + Posesivo + posibilidades = achieve + Posesivo + potential.

* aprovechar + Posesivo + potencial = reach + Posesivo + potential.

* aprovecharse = profit, screw, further + Posesivo + own interest, milk.

* aprovecharse al máximo de = make + the best of.

* aprovecharse de = take + advantage (of), piggyback [piggy-back], cash in on, prey on/upon, tap into, leverage, make + an opportunity (out) of, ride (on) + Posesivo + coattails.

* aprovecharse de las ventajas que ambas partes ofrecen = get + the best of both worlds.

* aprovecharse de las ventajas que cada parte ofrece = get + the best of all worlds.

* aprovecharse del interés general por Algo = exploit + appeal.

* aprovecharse del mercado = skim + the market.

* aprovecharse del sistema = game + the system, milk + the system.

* aprovecharse de + Posesivo + posición = take + advantage of + Posesivo + position.

* aprovecharse de recursos = tap + resources.

* aprovecharse de una oportunidad = grab + opportunity, capitalise on + opportunity.

* aprovecharse de una oportunidad pasajera = ride + the hype, catch + the fever.

* aprovecharse de una oportunidad pasajera = jump on + the bandwagon.

* aprovecharse económicamente = line + Posesivo + (own) pocket(s).

* aprovechar una oportunidad = embrace + opportunity, catch + opportunity.

* no aprovechar Algo lo suficiente = under-exploit [underexploit].

* no aprovechar el potencial = fall (far) short of + potential, fall (far) behind + potential.

* oportunidad pasajera de la que hay que aprovecharse = bandwagon.

* * *

1.

verbo transitivo

a) <tiempo/espacio/talento> to make the most of

aprovecha tu juventud — make the most of your youth

no aprovechan los recursos que tienen — they don't fully exploit the resources at their disposal

dinero/tiempo bien aprovechado — money/time well spent

es espacio mal aprovechado — it's a waste of space

b) <oportunidad> to take advantage of

voy a aprovechar que hace buen tiempo para ... — I'm going to take advantage of the good weather to ...

aprovecho la ocasión para decirles que ... — I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that ...

c) (usar) to use

aproveché los restos para ... — I used the leftovers to ...

éstas todavía se pueden aprovechar — these can still be put to good use

no tira nada, todo lo aprovecha — she doesn't throw anything away, she makes use of everything

2.

aprovechar vi

aproveché para venir a verte — I thought I'd take the opportunity to come and see you

que aproveche! — enjoy your meal, bon appétit

aprovechen ahora, que no tienen niños — make the most of it now, while you don't have children

3.

aprovecharse v pron

a) (abusar)

aprovecharse de algo/alguien — to take advantage of something/somebody, to exploit something/somebody

b) (abusar sexualmente)

aprovecharse de alguien — de una mujer to take advantage of somebody; de un niño to abuse somebody

* * *

= exploit, harness, build on/upon, sop up, put to + good use.

Ex: The Library of Congress List of Subject Headings (LCSH) can be exploited as a general index, since it shows LCC numbers for many of the headings listed.

Ex: When computers were first harnessed for information retrieval and cataloguing applications, the information retrieval systems, and some of the cataloguing systems developed in different environments.

Ex: The system should build on existing resources, rather than develop expensive new programmes.

Ex: Here are activities to sop up those extra minutes by reinforcing what you're taught.

Ex: Your advice, suggestions, comments are greatly appreciated and you can rest assured that they will be put to good use.

* aprovechándose de = on the coattails of.

* aprovechándose de la ocasión = opportunistically.

* aprovechar Algo al máximo = make + the most of.

* aprovechar al máximo = maximise [maximize, -USA], optimise [optimize, -USA], realise + to its full potential, exploit + full potential, take + full advantage (of), make + the best use of, get + the best out of, take + the best advantage, get + the most out of, realise + the potential, make + the best possible use of.

* aprovechar al máximo las oportunidades = maximise + opportunities.

* aprovechar el momento = catch + the moment.

* aprovechar la experiencia profesional = harness + expertise.

* aprovechar la ocasión = use + the occasion.

* aprovechar la oportunidad = grasp + the opportunity, seize + the opportunity, take + the opportunity, make + hay while the sun shines.

* aprovechar la situación = ride + the wave.

* aprovechar las posibilidades de Algo = achieve + Posesivo + full potential, develop + potential, develop + Nombre + to its full potential.

* aprovechar las posibilidades que nos ofrece = harness + the power of.

* aprovechar mejor = squeeze + more life out of.

* aprovechar mejor el dinero = get + more for + Posesivo + money.

* aprovechar oportunidades = exploit + opportunities.

* aprovechar + Posesivo + posibilidades = achieve + Posesivo + potential.

* aprovechar + Posesivo + potencial = reach + Posesivo + potential.

* aprovecharse = profit, screw, further + Posesivo + own interest, milk.

* aprovecharse al máximo de = make + the best of.

* aprovecharse de = take + advantage (of), piggyback [piggy-back], cash in on, prey on/upon, tap into, leverage, make + an opportunity (out) of, ride (on) + Posesivo + coattails.

* aprovecharse de las ventajas que ambas partes ofrecen = get + the best of both worlds.

* aprovecharse de las ventajas que cada parte ofrece = get + the best of all worlds.

* aprovecharse del interés general por Algo = exploit + appeal.

* aprovecharse del mercado = skim + the market.

* aprovecharse del sistema = game + the system, milk + the system.

* aprovecharse de + Posesivo + posición = take + advantage of + Posesivo + position.

* aprovecharse de recursos = tap + resources.

* aprovecharse de una oportunidad = grab + opportunity, capitalise on + opportunity.

* aprovecharse de una oportunidad pasajera = ride + the hype, catch + the fever.

* aprovecharse de una oportunidad pasajera = jump on + the bandwagon.

* aprovecharse económicamente = line + Posesivo + (own) pocket(s).

* aprovechar una oportunidad = embrace + opportunity, catch + opportunity.

* no aprovechar Algo lo suficiente = under-exploit [underexploit].

* no aprovechar el potencial = fall (far) short of + potential, fall (far) behind + potential.

* oportunidad pasajera de la que hay que aprovecharse = bandwagon.

* * *

aprovechar [A1 ]

vt

‹tiempo/recursos/talento› to make good use of; ‹situación› to take advantage of

sabe aprovechar muy bien su tiempo she really knows how to use her time well o how to make the most of her time

para aprovechar el espacio al máximo to make maximum o best use of the space

aprovechan la presión de agua para generar electricidad they make use of o take advantage of o utilize the water pressure to generate electricity

aprovecharon estos momentos de pánico para saquear varias tiendas they took advantage of the panic to loot several stores

aprovechando la ocasión les diré que … I would like to take o (frml) avail myself of this opportunity to tell you that …, may I take this opportunity to tell you that …?

aprovechó la oportunidad para hacerse publicidad he used o (frml) availed himself of the opportunity to promote himself

aprovecho la presente para saludarlo atentamente (I remain) sincerely yours (AmE), (I remain) yours faithfully (BrE)

voy a aprovechar que hace buen tiempo para ir a escalar I'm going to take advantage of the good weather to go climbing

aprovecho que tengo un ratito libre para escribirte I finally have a spare moment so I thought I'd write to you

no tira nada, todo lo aprovecha she doesn't throw anything away, she makes use of everything

sabe aprovechar muy bien su belleza she knows how to make the most of her looks

aprovecharé los restos de pollo para hacer unas croquetas I'll use the chicken leftovers to make some croquettes

aprovecha tu juventud y diviértete make the most of your youth and enjoy yourself

■ aprovechar

vi

como pasaba por aquí, aproveché para venir a verte I was passing so I thought I'd take the opportunity to come and see you

ya que lo paga la empresa, voy a aprovechar y comprar el más caro since the company is paying, I'm going to make the most of it and buy the dearest one

¡que aproveche! enjoy your meal, bon appétit

aprovechen ahora, que no tienen niños make the most of it now, while you don't have children

■ aprovecharse

v pron

A

1 (abusar) aprovecharse DE algo/algn to take advantage OF sth/sb, to exploit sth/sb

se aprovechó de que no estaban sus padres para hacer una fiesta he took advantage of his parents being away to have a party, he exploited the fact that his parents were away to have a party

2 (abusar sexualmente) aprovecharse DE algn ‹de una mujer› to take advantage OF sb; ‹de un niño› to abuse sb

B (enf):

aprovéchate ahora que eres joven make the most of it while you're young

* * *

 

aprovechar (conjugate aprovechar) verbo transitivo

a) ‹tiempo/espacio/talento› to make the most of;

◊ dinero/tiempo bien aprovechado money/time well spent;

es espacio mal aprovechado it's a waste of space

b) ‹oportunidad› to take advantage of;

◊ aprovecho la ocasión para decirles que … I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that …

c) (usar) to use;

◊ no tira nada, todo lo aprovecha she doesn't throw anything away, she makes use of everything

verbo intransitivo:

◊ aproveché para venir a verte I thought I'd take the opportunity to come and see you;

¡que aproveche! enjoy your meal, bon appétit;
aprovechen ahora, que son jóvenes make the most of it now, while you're young
aprovecharse verbo pronominal

a) (abusar) aprovecharse de algo/algn to take advantage of sth/sb, to exploit sth/sb

b) (abusar sexualmente) aprovecharse de algn ‹de una mujer› to take advantage of sb;

‹de un niño› to abuse sb
aprovechar
I verbo transitivo
1 to make the most of: hemos aprovechado mucho el rato, we've done a lot in a short time
2 (la situación) to take advantage of: aprovechamos la ocasión para explicarle nuestro proyecto, we seized the opportunity to explain our project to him
II verbo intransitivo ¡que aproveche!, enjoy your meal!, bon appétit!
'aprovechar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
desperdiciar
- excedente
- jugo
- máximo
English:
account
- advantage
- avail
- bread
- harness
- milk
- most
- opportunity
- seize
- seize on
- seize upon
- take
- waste
- grab
- grasp

* * *

aprovechar

♦ vt

1. [tiempo, dinero] to make the most of;

[oferta, ocasión] to take advantage of; [conocimientos, experiencia] to use, to make use of;

han aprovechado todo el potencial del jugador brasileño they have used the Brazilian player to his full potential;

me gustaría aprovechar esta oportunidad para… I'd like to take this opportunity to…;

aprovechar que… to make the most of the fact that…;

aprovechó que no tenía nada que hacer para descansar un rato since she had nothing to do, she took the opportunity to have a rest;

aprovechó que sabía alemán para solicitar un traslado a Alemania she used the fact that she knew German to ask for a transfer to Germany

2. [lo inservible] to put to good use;

buscan una forma de aprovechar los residuos they're looking for a way of putting by-products to good use;

no tires los restos de la paella, los aprovecharé para hacer sopa don't throw what's left of the paella away, I'll use it to make a soup;

el generador aprovecha la fuerza del agua para producir electricidad the generator uses the power of the water to produce electricity

♦ vi

1. [mejorar] to make progress;

desde que tiene un profesor particular aprovecha más en física since he's had a private tutor he's made more progress in physics

2. [disfrutar]

aprovecha mientras puedas make the most of it o enjoy it while you can;

¡cómo aprovechas para comer chocolate, ahora que no te ve nadie! you're really making the most of the opportunity to eat chocolate while nobody can see you!;

Comp

¡que aproveche! enjoy your meal!

♦ See also the pronominal verb aprovecharse

* * *

aprovechar

I v/t

1 take advantage of

2 tiempo, espacio make good use of;

quiero aprovechar la ocasión para … I would like to take this opportunity to …

II v/i

1 take the opportunity (para to)

2

:

¡que aproveche! enjoy your meal!

* * *

aprovechar vt

: to take advantage of, to make good use of

aprovechar vi

1) : to be of use

2) : to progress, to improve

♦ See also the reflexive verb aprovecharse

* * *

aprovechar vb

1. (hacer buen uso) to use

aproveché la tarde para estudiar I used the afternoon to study

mi madre aprovecha los huesos para hacer sopa my mother uses the bones to make soup

2. (oportunidad) to take advantage of [pt. took; pp. taken]

tienes que aprovechar la ocasión al máximo you have to take advantage of this opportunity

¡aprovecha! make the most of it!

3. (recursos naturales) to exploit

¡que aproveche! enjoy your meal!