Skip to content

desaprovechar

to waste

verb deh-sah-proh-beh-CHAHR Rare
Mind & Emotions Values

Also means

to squander

Usage Note

Desaprovechar means to fail to make good use of something: an opportunity, a talent, or a resource. It is the antonym of aprovechar ('to make the most of'). A regular -ar verb, it is frequently used in sports reporting: desaprovechó una ocasión clara ('he wasted a clear chance'). Desperdiciar is a near synonym, but desaprovechar has a stronger sense of missed potential rather than careless loss.

Examples

"No puedes desaprovechar esta oportunidad única."

Natural Translation

You cannot waste this unique opportunity.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore Spanish by topic