Quick answer
Melhorar covers any change for the better. Aprimorar suggests deliberate refinement of something already developed.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
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What each word does
melhorar
to improve or get better
Use melhorar for a general positive change in health, quality, conditions, or performance.
aprimorar
to refine or enhance
Use aprimorar for deliberately developing a skill, method, product, or detail to a higher standard.
How to choose
- melhorar: Choose melhorar if the sentence points to a general positive change in health, quality, conditions, or performance.
- aprimorar: Choose aprimorar if the sentence points to deliberately developing a skill, method, product, or detail to a higher standard.
Examples
O atendimento melhorou muito.
The service improved a lot.
Ela aprimorou a técnica de escrita.
She refined her writing technique.
Common trap
A patient melhora; a professional aprimora uma habilidade. Aprimorar sounds more intentional and formal.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with melhorar, then once with aprimorar. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
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