elaborar

to elaborate

verb eh-lah-boh-RAHR Less Common

Origin: from Latin elaborare (to work out)

Also means

to produce

Usage Note

Elaborar is a false friend: while English 'elaborate' often means to expand in speech, elaborar primarily means to produce, develop, or craft something — elaborar un plan (to draw up a plan), elaborar vino (to produce wine). If you want to say 'to explain in more detail', use explicar con más detalle instead.

Examples

"Vamos a elaborar un nuevo plan de trabajo."

Natural Translation

We are going to draw up a new work plan.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

The Spanish Cheek Kiss: Greeting Etiquette by Country

Two kisses in Spain, one in most of Latin America. Master the Spanish cheek kiss greeting — which cheek first, the air-kiss mechanics, and when to shake hands.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

El or La? Spanish Noun Gender Rules Made Simple

El or la? Spanish noun gender is ~99% readable off the word's ending. Learn the o/a defaults, LONERS, feminine endings, and the handful of rebels to memorize.

June 3, 2026 7 min read