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amparar

ahm-pah-RAHR/ampaˈɾaɾ/

“amparar” means “to protect” in Spanish (to provide legal or physical safety).

to protect, to shelter

Also: to safeguard, to rely on
VerbB2regular ar
Mexico & Spain
A large, colorful umbrella held over a small, vulnerable bird to keep it dry from the rain.
gerundamparando
past Participleamparado
infinitiveamparar

📝 In Action

El muro nos amparó del viento fuerte durante la tormenta.

B1

The wall sheltered us from the strong wind during the storm.

La constitución debe amparar los derechos de todos los ciudadanos.

B2

The constitution must protect the rights of all citizens.

El acusado se amparó en su derecho a no declarar.

C1

The accused relied on his right not to testify.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • proteger (to protect)
  • cobijar (to shelter/house)
  • guarecer (to shelter/protect)

Antonyms

  • desamparar (to abandon/leave helpless)
  • abandonar (to abandon)

Common Collocations

  • amparar bajo la ley – to protect under the law
  • ampararse en un derecho – to rely on a right
  • amparar de la lluvia – to shelter from the rain

Idioms & Expressions

  • recurso de amparo – A legal appeal to a high court to protect fundamental constitutional rights.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesampararan
yoamparara
túampararas
vosotrosampararais
nosotrosamparáramos
él/ella/ustedamparara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesamparen
yoampare
túampares
vosotrosamparéis
nosotrosamparemos
él/ella/ustedampare

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesampararon
yoamparé
túamparaste
vosotrosamparasteis
nosotrosamparamos
él/ella/ustedamparó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesamparaban
yoamparaba
túamparabas
vosotrosamparabais
nosotrosamparábamos
él/ella/ustedamparaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesamparan
yoamparo
túamparas
vosotrosamparáis
nosotrosamparamos
él/ella/ustedampara
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "amparar" in Spanish:

to protect→to safeguard→to shelter→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: amparar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence is the best way to say the law protects citizens?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
amparo(protection/shelter) — Noun
desamparar(to abandon) — Verb
desamparado(helpless/homeless) — Adjective
amparador(protector) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'anteparare', which means 'to prepare ahead of time' or 'to defend'. Over time, it came to mean standing in front of someone to keep them safe.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: ampararCatalan: emparar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'amparar' used in casual conversation?

Not usually. You are more likely to hear 'proteger' or 'dar refugio' in a casual chat. 'Amparar' sounds more serious or official.

What is the difference between 'amparar' and 'proteger'?

'Proteger' is general. 'Amparar' specifically implies providing a roof, a safe haven, or a legal shield.

Is 'amparar' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar, so it is quite easy to conjugate.