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"Mejoró" is a form of "mejorar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to improve". "Empeoró" is a form of "empeorar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to get worse". Learn more about the difference between "mejoró" and "empeoró" below.
mejorar(
meh
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hoh
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rahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to improve
Hacer manualidades puede mejorar tu humor.Doing arts and crafts can improve your mood.
b. to increase (an offer)
Si quieren comprar la casa, van a tener que mejorar su oferta.If they want to buy the house, they'll have to increase their offer.
2. (sports)
a. to break
El equipo terminó la temporada mejorando el récord histórico de goles.The team ended their season breaking the all-time goal-scoring record.
b. to beat
El corredor nigeriano espera mejorar su récord en el maratón este año.The Nigerian runner is hoping to beat his own record in this year's marathon.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (to recover)
a. to improve
Tu inglés ha mejorado mucho desde que viajaste a Estados Unidos.Your English has improved a lot since you traveled to the States.
5. (weather)
a. to improve
Si el tiempo no mejora, no podremos salir.If the weather doesn't improve, we won't be able to go out.
b. to clear up
El tiempo ha mejorado bastante. ¿Quieres salir a dar una caminata?The weather has really cleared up. Do you want to go out for a walk?
mejorarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (to recover)
empeorar(
ehm
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peh
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oh
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rahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to decline)
a. to get worse
El día ya comenzó mal, y luego empeoró cuando se me rompió la pierna.The day started badly, and then it got worse when I broke my leg.
b. to deteriorate
Su salud sigue empeorando, y los médicos ya no saben qué hacer.Her health continues to deteriorate, and the doctors just don't know what to do.
c. to worsen
Se espera que la calidad del aire empeore durante toda la semana.The air quality is expected to worsen throughout the week.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to make worse
La visita al psicólogo solo sirvió para empeorar su obsesividad.The visit to the psychologist only served to make his obsessiveness worse.
b. to worsen
Solo empeoras la situación al fingir que todo está bien.You only worsen the situation by pretending that everything is fine.
empeorarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (to decline)
a. to worsen
La situación en el país sólo se empeoró bajo el nuevo gobierno.The situation in the country only worsened under the new government.
