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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.

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