Aprovechados

Aprovechados is a plural noun in Spanish used to describe people who take advantage of a situation for personal gain. Derived from the verb aprovechar, the term carries a negative judgment about individuals who manipulate circumstances, rules, or others to obtain benefits.

Usage and connotation: It is common in political, social, and everyday discourse to refer to “los aprovechados” as those who exploit loopholes, favoritism, or social networks. The label implies opportunism, often at the expense of the common good or equality of opportunity. While aprovechar can be used neutrally to mean “to make the most of” an opportunity, aprovechado as a noun usually denotes someone who does so unscrupulously.

Contexts and examples: In public debate, the term may be applied to bureaucrats who skim resources, businessmen who use intermediaries to extract rents, or professionals who leverage connections to secure contracts. It can also describe individuals who, through cunning or luck, avoid responsibilities or obligations while others shoulder them.

Regional notes: The intensity and frequency of the term vary by region; in some countries it carries strong moral condemnation, while in others it may be used more casually. The word is generally avoided in formal or institutional language, where more precise terms like intermediarios or rent-seeking actors might be preferred.

See also: aprovechar, aprovechamiento, opportunism.