Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| prosperar | /pɾospeˈɾaɾ/ |
| medrar | /meˈdɾaɾ/ |
| florecer | /floɾeˈθeɾ/ /floɾeˈseɾ/ |
| chapearse | /t͡ʃapeaɾse/ (from spelling rules) |
In Spanish, you can use prosperar to suggest general success and prosperity or progresar in formal contexts to express progressing or prospering. If the context implies growth and advancement, the formal verb desarrollarse (to develop) can also be applied. In an informal setting, the phrase salir adelante is used to express the idea of thriving or getting ahead.
Which one should you use?
While prosperar refers to economic or general success, florecer is used metaphorically to mean 'to flourish' or 'to bloom', much like a plant or a specific talent. The literary verb medrar can carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting someone is getting ahead through opportunistic or unscrupulous means, whereas prosperar remains neutral or positive.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb prosperar is a regular '-ar' verb, following standard conjugation patterns for that group.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾospeˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb medrar actually evolved from mejorar, which means 'to improve'. Over time, the sound shifted and the meaning narrowed to describe someone thriving through opportunism.
- Spanish often uses florecer to describe the 'thriving' of an entire era or an art movement, not just a person or a plant.
- While English uses 'thrive' for both people and plants, Spanish strictly separates the biological 'bloom' florecer from the socio-economic 'prosper' prosperar in most literal contexts.
Examples in context
- Sólo desean medrar.They just want to thrive.This sentence shows the use of the literary form medrar.Tatoeba #8308865 by arh, translation #11277656 by Luornu
- La empresa está progresando rápidamenteThe company is thriving rapidly
- El país ha prosperado gracias a sus reformas económicasThe country has thrived thanks to its economic reforms
- Juan está teniendo mucho éxito en su nuevo negocioJuan is thriving in his new business
- Mi negocio ha prosperado gracias al apoyo de mis clientes leales.My business has thrived thanks to the support of my loyal customers.
- A pesar de los desafíos, siempre salimos adelante como familia.Despite the challenges, we always thrive as a family.
- Espero que tu nuevo negocio pueda prosperar.I hope your new business can prosper.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about Alejandro's new startup.
- Lucía¡Felicidades por tu nueva empresa, Alejandro!Congratulations on your new company, Alejandro!
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía, espero que pueda prosperar pronto.Thanks, Lucía, I hope it can prosper soon.
- LucíaCon tu dedicación, estoy segura de que lo lograrás.With your dedication, I am sure you will make it.
- AlejandroEso espero, ¡así será!I hope so, that's how it will be!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thrive” translations and entries prosperar, medrar, florecer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries florecer, medrar, prosperar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
