aceptar
/ah-sep-TAR/
to accept
To accept (an offer, a gift, an invitation).
aceptar(verb)
to accept
?an offer, a gift, an invitation
,to receive
?a package, a payment
to take
?a piece of advice
📝 In Action
¿Aceptas mi ayuda con la mudanza?
A1Do you accept my help with the move?
Ella aceptó el trabajo inmediatamente.
A2She accepted the job immediately.
Nunca acepto tarjetas de crédito, solo efectivo.
A1I never accept credit cards, only cash.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Action Verb
Aceptar is straightforward, it directly acts upon the thing being accepted. For instance, 'Yo acepto el dinero' (I accept the money).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Aceptar' and 'Estar de acuerdo'
Mistake: "Using 'aceptar' when agreeing with an opinion: 'Acepto con tu idea.'"
Correction: Use 'Estar de acuerdo': 'Estoy de acuerdo con tu idea.' (I agree with your idea). 'Aceptar' is usually for offers or things, not opinions.
⭐ Usage Tips
Easy Regular Verb
Since 'aceptar' is a regular -ar verb, you don't need to worry about stem changes or tricky spellings—it conjugates just like 'hablar'!
To agree to (a rule or condition).
aceptar(verb)
to agree to
?a rule or condition
,to tolerate
?a difficult situation or person
to consent to
?a proposal
,to approve of
?a decision
📝 In Action
Tenemos que aceptar las consecuencias de nuestros errores.
B1We have to accept the consequences of our mistakes.
Los empleados no aceptaron los nuevos términos del contrato.
B2The employees did not agree to the new terms of the contract.
Es difícil aceptar que no puedes cambiar a esa persona.
B2It is difficult to tolerate that you cannot change that person.
💡 Grammar Points
Facing Difficulties
This meaning is often used when dealing with unpleasant but unavoidable situations (like a loss, a defeat, or a reality you cannot change).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Permitir'
Mistake: "Sometimes learners confuse 'aceptar' (to tolerate/agree) with 'permitir' (to allow/give permission)."
Correction: Use 'aceptar' for agreement or resignation, and 'permitir' when you are the one giving someone else authorization to do something.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ 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
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.