Inklingo
Dictionary

aplaudir

ah-plow-DEERaplawˈðiɾ

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

to clapA1Verb

hitting hands together to make noise

Learn more →
to praiseB2Verb

approving of a decision or idea

Learn more →

to clapAlso: 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 praiseAlso: 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

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "aplaudir" in Spanish:

to applaudto clapto praiseto 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
decirvivirreír
📚 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

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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'.