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"Mejorar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to improve", and "bien" is an adverb which is often translated as "well". Learn more about the difference between "mejorar" and "bien" below.
mejorar(
meh
-
hoh
-
rahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
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.
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.).
intransitive verb
a. to get better
Estoy mejorando con el tratamiento.I'm getting better with the treatment.
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.
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.).
pronominal verb
a. to get well
Todos esperamos que te mejores pronto.We all hope that you get well soon.
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bien, el bien(
byehn
)
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. well
Últimamente no me he sentido bien.I haven't felt well lately.
a. well
Si la carne molida no se cocina bien, las bacterias no mueren.If the ground meat is not cooked well, the bacteria don't die.
a. OK
Quedamos en el bar. - Bien.Let's meet at the bar. - OK.
a. very
Me di un paseo bien largo para despejar mi mente.I went for a very long walk to clear my mind.
a. well
Cuando viajé a España, me comentaban que sabía hablar bien el español.When I traveled to Spain, people told me I could speak Spanish well.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Se hace el tonto pero bien sabía que no nos había pagado.He's pretending he didn't, but he knew full well he hadn't paid us.
Bien podías habérselo dicho.You really could have told him.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. good
El bien siempre gana al mal.Good always beats evil.
a. good
Está dispuesto a sacrificar su vida por el bien de la nación.He is willing to sacrifice his own life for the good of the nation.
a. property
Mi abuelo dejó todos sus bienes a sus seis hijos.My grandfather left all his property to his six children.
b. belonging
Cuando se divorciaron, dividieron sus bienes equitativamente.When they divorced, they divided their belongings equally.
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
conjunction
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Bien nos vamos, bien no, pero hay que decidirlo ya.We either go or we don't, but we need to decide.
Tenemos que mudarnos, bien este año, bien el que viene.We have to move, whether it's this year or next.
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