To improve something/make something better

Question

My assignment partner has sent me back this addition to our presentation, in bold below

"Históricamente, la gente creó el carnaval en el siglo 17, para imitar el carnaval famoso de (ciudad) y hacerlo mejor".

I suppose he's trying to say "and improve it/make it better", but I'm not sure about the grammar. My search for "improve" came up with "mejorar", so does "mejorarlo" work? That is: "Históricamente, la gente creó el carnaval en el siglo 17, para imitar el carnaval famoso de (ciudad) y mejorarlo". Any other corrections welcome, gracias.

I accept flowers and bottles of wine.. - annierats, Apr 16, 2013

I think my last answer, using ' superar' works. - annierats, Apr 16, 2013

If you've heard of "The Secret", I'm "visualising" exactly those things magically appearing in front of you. Thank me later =P - T-tren, Apr 16, 2013

Tnx, Tren, I hope it works! - annierats, Apr 16, 2013

Answer 1

Historically, the people created the carnival in the 17th century in imitation of the famous carnival of Venice but to improve on it."

El pueblo empezó a celebrar su carnival durante el siglo VII, imitando la famosa fiesta de Venecia pero con áfan de superarla.

I think 'superar' works better.

Me parece una traducción muy buena. Solo un par de sugerencias: "El pueblo empezó a celebrar su carnaval durante el siglo XVII, imitando la famosa fiesta de Venecia pero con afán/intención de superarla". :) - Cordobesa, Apr 16, 2013

Gracias a todos! - T-tren, Apr 16, 2013

Muchíssimas gracias, Cordobesa. - annierats, Apr 16, 2013

Answer 2

What I was trying to say, en inglés:

"Historically, the people created the carnival in the 17th century in imitation of the famous carnival of Venice but to improve on it."

I guess my point is that they wanted to create a new festival of their own, inspired by the one in Venice but with their own local flavour/feel.

Answer 3

Personally I would use "hacer progresos en algo" as to improve something.

I feel using "hacer mejorar" sounds like improvments, say to a property, however, I am probably wrong and it is acceptable.

Answer 4

Could you give the English?

Are you trying to say that they wanted to improve on somebody elses carnival, or, that they wanted to make a better one?

Assuming that they want to create a better one, you need to keep hacer and I think ''hacerlo mejor que el carnival de Río'' would work, or perhaps ' El pueblo de Montefrío querían hacer// celebrar un carnival que fuera mejor que lo de Río'

These are only thoughts. Wait for other opinions.

Disregard thisone, I think my last answer is beter and of more use to you. - annierats, Apr 16, 2013