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aplaudir

ah-plow-DEER/aplawˈðiɾ/

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

to clap

Also: to applaud
VerbA1regular ir
A close-up of two hands coming together to clap.
gerundaplaudiendo
past Participleaplaudido
infinitiveaplaudir

📝 In Action

El público empezó a aplaudir después de la canción.

A1

The audience started to clap after the song.

Todos aplaudieron cuando el niño terminó su poema.

A2

Everyone clapped when the boy finished his poem.

Si estás feliz y lo sabes, ¡aplaude!

A1

If you're happy and you know it, clap!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • palmear (to clap hands)
  • ovacionar (to give a standing ovation)

Antonyms

  • abuchear (to boo)
  • pitar (to whistle (in disapproval))

Common Collocations

  • aplaudir con ganas – to clap enthusiastically
  • aplaudir de pie – to give a standing ovation

Idioms & Expressions

  • aplaudir hasta rabiar – to clap very intensely for a long time

to praise

Also: to welcome
VerbB2regular ir
A person giving a thumbs up with a big smile to show approval.
gerundaplaudiendo
past Participleaplaudido
infinitiveaplaudir

📝 In Action

La ONU aplaudió el nuevo tratado de paz.

B2

The UN praised the new peace treaty.

Muchos ciudadanos aplauden la bajada de impuestos.

B2

Many citizens welcome the tax cut.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • criticar (to criticize)
  • condenar (to condemn)

Common Collocations

  • aplaudir la iniciativa – to praise the initiative
  • aplaudir una decisión – to welcome a decision

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesaplaudieran
yoaplaudiera
túaplaudieras
vosotrosaplaudierais
nosotrosaplaudiéramos
él/ella/ustedaplaudiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesaplaudan
yoaplauda
túaplaudas
vosotrosaplaudáis
nosotrosaplaudamos
él/ella/ustedaplauda

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesaplaudieron
yoaplaudí
túaplaudiste
vosotrosaplaudisteis
nosotrosaplaudimos
él/ella/ustedaplaudió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesaplaudían
yoaplaudía
túaplaudías
vosotrosaplaudíais
nosotrosaplaudíamos
él/ella/ustedaplaudía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesaplauden
yoaplaudo
túaplaudes
vosotrosaplaudís
nosotrosaplaudimos
él/ella/ustedaplaude
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "aplaudir" in Spanish:

to applaud→to clap→to praise→to welcome→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aplaudir

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'We clapped' in the past (completed action)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
aplauso(applause/a clap) — Noun
aplaudidor(clapper (person)) — Noun
plausible(worthy of praise/plausible) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'applaudere', which combines 'ad' (towards) and 'plaudere' (to clap or strike).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: applaudFrench: applaudirItalian: applaudire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'aplaudir' irregular in the present tense?

No, it is a completely regular '-ir' verb. It follows the same pattern as 'vivir' or 'escribir'.

Can I use 'aplaudir' for a single clap?

Yes, but usually we use 'dar un aplauso' or 'dar una palmada' for a single strike of the hands. 'Aplaudir' usually implies a sequence of claps.

Is it 'aplaudir a alguien' or 'aplaudir alguien'?

It is 'aplaudir a alguien'. In Spanish, when the person receiving the action is a specific person, we use the 'personal a'.