aguanta
/ah-GWAHN-tah/
holds
The image shows the concept of 'holds' or physical support.
aguanta(Verb)
holds
?physical support (él/ella/usted form)
,hold
?command (tú form)
supports
?physical weight
,bears
?weight/pressure
📝 In Action
Esta viga aguanta todo el techo de la casa.
B1This beam supports the entire roof of the house.
¡Aguanta la caja con las dos manos o se cae!
A2Hold the box with both hands or it will fall!
💡 Grammar Points
Present Tense vs. Command
The form 'aguanta' is used both when talking about what a third person (he/she/it) does now, and as a direct command to you (tú).
This image illustrates 'endures' or suffering through a difficult situation with resilience.
aguanta(Verb)
endures
?suffers through
,tolerates
?puts up with
puts up with
?a person or situation
,bears
?a hardship
📝 In Action
Mi abuela aguanta el calor del verano sin aire acondicionado.
B1My grandmother endures the summer heat without air conditioning.
Ella no aguanta el ruido de la construcción.
B2She doesn't tolerate the construction noise.
¡Aguanta la presión! Ya casi terminas el examen.
B2Bear the pressure! You're almost done with the exam.
💡 Grammar Points
Handling Discomfort
When talking about physical or emotional pain, 'aguantar' is the go-to verb for 'to bear' or 'to tolerate.' It implies active resilience.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to use 'Aguantar'
Use 'aguantar' instead of 'tolerar' in casual speech, as 'tolerar' can sound slightly more formal or scientific in some contexts.
The raised hand signals 'Wait!' or a sudden stop.
aguanta(Interjection)
Wait!
?stop or pause
,Hold on!
?command to stay put
Hang on!
?informal pause
📝 In Action
—¿Ya salimos? —¡Aguanta, tengo que buscar mis llaves!
A2—Should we leave now? —Wait, I have to find my keys!
Aguanta un segundo, el autobús ya viene.
B1Hold on a second, the bus is coming now.
💡 Grammar Points
Imperative Use
As an interjection, '¡Aguanta!' is the affirmative command form for 'tú' (you, informal). It functions exactly like saying 'Wait!' or 'Hold on!' in English.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Espérate' vs. 'Aguanta'
Mistake: "Using 'Espera' when the context is physical effort or extreme patience."
Correction: 'Aguanta' is better for commands related to physical actions or enduring difficulty, while 'espera' is strictly about waiting for time to pass.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: aguanta
Question 1 of 2
Which of these situations requires the verb 'aguanta' in the imperative (command) form?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'aguanta' is a command or a statement?
If 'aguanta' is used at the beginning of a sentence, often followed by an exclamation point (¡Aguanta!), or if it's clearly directed at 'tú' (you, informal), it's a command ('Hold on!'). If it follows a subject like 'él,' 'ella,' or 'usted,' it's usually a statement ('He/She/You holds/endures').
Can I use 'aguanta' to talk about waiting for a long time?
Yes, absolutely! The command '¡Aguanta!' is a very common, informal way to tell someone to 'wait' or 'hold on' in a conversation, especially on the phone.