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afinar means to refine — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: October 17, 2025

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

afinar

verb • /[ah-fee-NAR]/

to refine

Example:

Es necesario afinar la hipótesis antes de continuar.

It is necessary to refine the hypothesis before proceeding.

🧠 What does afinar mean?

The Spanish verb 'afinar' means to refine or to fine-tune something. This can apply to literal objects like instruments or machines, or to more abstract concepts like skills, arguments, or plans. It carries the nuance of making small adjustments to improve precision or accuracy.

📚 Extra examples

  • Necesitamos afinar la estrategia de marketing.
    We need to refine our marketing strategy.
  • El músico afinó su guitarra antes del concierto.
    The musician tuned his guitar before the concert.
  • Ella está afinando sus habilidades de escritura.
    She is refining her writing skills.
  • Afinaron los detalles del contrato antes de firmar.
    They fine-tuned the details of the contract before signing.
  • Tenemos que afinar el enfoque de nuestra investigación.
    We have to refine the focus of our research.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'afinar' comes from the Latin 'affinare,' meaning 'to bring to an edge or point.' This connection to sharpening and precision is reflected in the word's modern usage.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "afinar"

Synonyms: perfeccionar, pulir, mejorar, ajustar
Opposites: descuidar, empeorar, desajustar

🔍 See more academic & exam prep words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to refine' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to refine' in Spanish is 'afinar'.
How do you pronounce 'afinar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced ah-fee-NAR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'afinar' in a sentence?
Here are some examples: 'Voy a afinar mi violín' (I'm going to tune my violin), or 'Debemos afinar nuestra propuesta' (We should refine our proposal).
What is the English translation of 'afinar'?
'Afinar' translates to 'to refine,' 'to fine-tune,' or 'to tune' (especially in the context of musical instruments).
Does 'afinar' change for gender or number?
Yes, like most verbs, 'afinar' conjugates according to the subject. For example, 'yo afino' (I refine), 'él afina' (he refines), 'nosotros afinamos' (we refine), etc.
Is 'afinar' common in everyday Spanish?
While not as frequent as basic verbs like 'ser' or 'estar,' 'afinar' is relatively common and understood across the Spanish-speaking world.
Does 'afinar' have slang or double meanings?
In some contexts, 'afinar' can colloquially refer to perfecting or honing a skill, like 'afinar el ojo' (to sharpen one's eye/judgment). It doesn't typically have negative or vulgar double meanings.
Is 'afinar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The core meaning remains consistent across both regions, although specific colloquial uses might vary slightly.
How do you conjugate 'afinar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: Yo afino, tú afinas, él/ella/usted afina, nosotros/nosotras afinamos, vosotros/vosotras afináis, ellos/ellas/ustedes afinan. Other tenses follow regular -ar verb patterns.

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