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apoderar

ah-poh-deh-RAR/apoðeˈɾaɾ/

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

to empower

Also: to authorize, to grant power of attorney
VerbB2regular arformal
A king handing a glowing golden key to a person kneeling respectfully.
gerundapoderando
past Participleapoderado
infinitiveapoderar

📝 In Action

Tengo que apoderar a mi abogado para que firme el contrato.

B2

I have to authorize my lawyer so he can sign the contract.

La junta decidió apoderar al director para las negociaciones.

C1

The board decided to empower the director for the negotiations.

Es necesario apoderar a un representante legal en el extranjero.

C1

It is necessary to grant power of attorney to a legal representative abroad.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • autorizar (to authorize)
  • comisionar (to commission)

Antonyms

  • revocar (to revoke)
  • destituir (to dismiss)

Common Collocations

  • apoderar a un abogado – to give power of attorney to a lawyer
  • apoderar legalmente – to legally empower

to take over

Also: to seize, to overcome
VerbB1regular (reflexive) ar
A massive, friendly-looking purple cloud gently wrapping around a small house.
gerundapoderándose
past Participleapoderado
infinitiveapoderarse

📝 In Action

El miedo se apoderó de él durante el examen.

B1

Fear took over him during the exam.

Los manifestantes se apoderaron del edificio.

B2

The protesters seized the building.

No dejes que el pánico se apodere de la situación.

B2

Don't let panic take over the situation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • adueñarse (to take ownership of)
  • capturar (to capture)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • apoderarse de algo – to take possession of something
  • apoderarse de alguien – to overcome/take control of someone (emotions)

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoderaran
yoapoderara
túapoderaras
vosotrosapoderarais
nosotrosapoderáramos
él/ella/ustedapoderara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoderen
yoapodere
túapoderes
vosotrosapoderéis
nosotrosapoderemos
él/ella/ustedapodere

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoderaron
yoapoderé
túapoderaste
vosotrosapoderasteis
nosotrosapoderamos
él/ella/ustedapoderó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoderaban
yoapoderaba
túapoderabas
vosotrosapoderabais
nosotrosapoderábamos
él/ella/ustedapoderaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoderan
yoapodero
túapoderas
vosotrosapoderáis
nosotrosapoderamos
él/ella/ustedapodera
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "apoderar" in Spanish:

to authorize→to empower→to overcome→to seize→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: apoderar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence is correct for 'Fear took over him'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
poder(power / to be able to) — Verb / Noun
apoderado(representative / person with power of attorney) — Noun
empoderar(to empower (socially/personally)) — Verb
poderío(might/power) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish prefix 'a-' (to/towards) combined with 'poder' (power), which comes from the Latin 'posse' (to be able).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: powerFrench: pouvoir

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'apoderar' the same as 'to empower' in English?

Only in a legal sense. If you mean 'giving someone the confidence to succeed,' use the word 'empoderar' instead.

Do I always need to use 'se' with this word?

No. Use 'se' (apoderarse) when something is 'taking over' or 'seizing' something. Use it without 'se' (apoderar) only when you are formally granting legal power to another person.

Can 'apoderarse' be used for positive things?

Usually, it has a slightly overwhelming or aggressive tone (like a thief seizing a building or fear seizing a person), but it can be used for positive feelings like 'joy taking over' if the joy is very intense.