desenvolver

to develop

verb deh-sehn-bohl-BEHR Rare

Also means

to manage (a situation)

Usage Note

Desenvolver is a stem-changing verb (o→ue) conjugated like volver. The reflexive desenvolverse is particularly common and means to manage or cope in a situation: se desenvuelve bien en inglés ('she gets on well in English'). It is a false friend trap: it does NOT mean 'to develop' in the sense of desarrollar; rather, it implies unfolding or navigating a process.

Examples

"Se desenvuelve bien en situaciones difíciles."

Natural Translation

She handles difficult situations well.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

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

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Memorize Spanish Vocabulary Fast (That Sticks)

Memorize Spanish vocabulary fast with a 15-minute daily loop: spaced repetition, frequency-first words, and example-sentence cards that actually stick.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spain vs Latin American Spanish: Key Differences

Spain and Latin American Spanish are fully mutually intelligible. Compare vosotros vs ustedes, coche vs carro, the 'th' sound, and learn which one to study.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish False Friends That Cause Real Embarrassment

Spanish false friends like embarazada and excitado don't mean what you think. Learn the trap words, the right ones to say instead, and how to stop guessing.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Subjunctive Explained Simply for Beginners

The Spanish subjunctive is a mood, not a tense — use it after a WEIRDO trigger plus que. Learn the one rule, the yo-form recipe, and the lines you already say.

June 9, 2026 5 min read