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aceptar

ah-sep-TAR/aθepˈtaɾ/

“aceptar” means “to accept” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to accept, to receive

Also: to take
VerbA1regular ar
A storybook illustration showing a person smiling happily as they accept a brightly wrapped gift box from someone else's outstretched hand.
infinitiveaceptar
gerundaceptando
past Participleaceptado

📝 In Action

¿Aceptas mi ayuda con la mudanza?

A1

Do you accept my help with the move?

Ella aceptó el trabajo inmediatamente.

A2

She accepted the job immediately.

Nunca acepto tarjetas de crédito, solo efectivo.

A1

I never accept credit cards, only cash.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • aceptar un regalo – to accept a gift
  • aceptar la invitación – to accept the invitation

to agree to, to tolerate

Also: to consent to, to approve of
VerbB1regular ar
A simple storybook illustration depicting two different hands firmly grasping each other in a handshake, symbolizing a mutual agreement.
infinitiveaceptar
gerundaceptando
past Participleaceptado

📝 In Action

Tenemos que aceptar las consecuencias de nuestros errores.

B1

We have to accept the consequences of our mistakes.

Los empleados no aceptaron los nuevos términos del contrato.

B2

The employees did not agree to the new terms of the contract.

Es difícil aceptar que no puedes cambiar a esa persona.

B2

It is difficult to tolerate that you cannot change that person.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • consentir (to consent)
  • tolerar (to tolerate)

Antonyms

  • oponerse (to oppose)

Common Collocations

  • aceptar la realidad – to accept reality
  • aceptar una crítica – to accept criticism

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedacepta
yoacepto
túaceptas
ellos/ellas/ustedesaceptan
nosotrosaceptamos
vosotrosaceptáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedaceptaba
yoaceptaba
túaceptabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesaceptaban
nosotrosaceptábamos
vosotrosaceptabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedaceptó
yoacepté
túaceptaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesaceptaron
nosotrosaceptamos
vosotrosaceptasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedacepte
yoacepte
túaceptes
ellos/ellas/ustedesacepten
nosotrosaceptemos
vosotrosaceptéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedaceptara
yoaceptara
túaceptaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesaceptaran
nosotrosaceptáramos
vosotrosaceptarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "aceptar" in Spanish:

to accept→to receive→to take→to tolerate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aceptar

Question 1 of 2

Which Spanish sentence correctly uses the meaning 'to tolerate or agree to (a condition)'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
aceptación(acceptance) — Noun
aceptable(acceptable) — Adjective
inaceptable(unacceptable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
adaptarcaptar
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *acceptāre*, which meant 'to take willingly' or 'to receive'. The meaning has remained very close to its root for centuries.

First recorded: Around the 13th century in early Spanish texts.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: aceitarFrench: accepter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'aceptar' usually followed by a preposition?

No, 'aceptar' is a simple verb that takes the thing being accepted right after it. You accept 'something' directly. For example: 'Acepto [el desafío]' (I accept [the challenge]).

How do I say 'I agree with you' in Spanish?

While 'aceptar' means 'to agree to a condition or offer,' you should use 'Estoy de acuerdo contigo' (I am in agreement with you) when agreeing with someone's opinion or statement.