aprovechado

Aprovechado is a term used primarily in Spanish. In Portuguese the corresponding form is aproveitado (masc.) or aproveitada (fem.). It is the past participle of the verbs aprovechar (Spanish) and aproveitar (Portuguese). It describes something or someone that has made good use of an opportunity or resources. When used positively, it can mean resourceful, beneficial, or efficiently used. When used negatively, it designates a person who takes advantage of others or of a situation for personal gain.

In Brazilian Portuguese, aproveitado often carries negative shades, similar to oportunista, though in neutral contexts it can refer to something that was well utilized or well exploited.

Etymology and cognates: the term derives from the verb aprovechar (Spanish) or aproveitar (Portuguese), related to provecho or proveito (benefit). Related forms include the noun aprovechamiento (Spanish) and aproveitamento (Portuguese). Synonyms in Spanish include utilizar, sacar provecho, rentabilizar; in Portuguese, aproveitar, tirar proveito, rentabilizar.