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apoya

ah-POY-ah/aˈpoʝa/

to support

Also: to back, to favor
VerbA2regular ar
A person helping another person climb up a small hill by offering a hand.
gerundapoyando
past Participleapoyado
infinitiveapoyar

📝 In Action

Ella siempre apoya a su familia.

A1

She always supports her family.

El gobierno apoya el nuevo plan.

B1

The government backs the new plan.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ayuda (helps)
  • respalda (backs up)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • apoya la moción – supports the motion
  • apoya incondicionalmente – supports unconditionally

to lean, to rest

Also: to base
VerbB1regular ar
A wooden ladder resting against a sturdy brick wall.
gerundapoyando
past Participleapoyado
infinitiveapoyar

📝 In Action

Él apoya la escalera en la pared.

B1

He leans the ladder against the wall.

Apoya tu cabeza en mi hombro.

A2

Rest your head on my shoulder.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • apoya los codos – rests the elbows
  • apoya su teoría en... – bases their theory on...

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyaran
yoapoyara
túapoyaras
vosotrosapoyarais
nosotrosapoyáramos
él/ella/ustedapoyara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyen
yoapoye
túapoyes
vosotrosapoyéis
nosotrosapoyemos
él/ella/ustedapoye

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyaron
yoapoyé
túapoyaste
vosotrosapoyasteis
nosotrosapoyamos
él/ella/ustedapoyó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyaban
yoapoyaba
túapoyabas
vosotrosapoyabais
nosotrosapoyábamos
él/ella/ustedapoyaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyan
yoapoyo
túapoyas
vosotrosapoyáis
nosotrosapoyamos
él/ella/ustedapoya
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "apoya" in Spanish:

to back→to base→to favor→to lean→to rest→to support→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: apoya

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'apoya' to mean emotional support?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
apoyo(support (noun)) — Noun
apoyado(supported) — Adjective
apoyador(supporter) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
joyaTroyaclaraboya
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'podium', which means a 'raised platform' or 'foot'. It originally described placing one's feet firmly or giving a base to something.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: appuyerEnglish: podium

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'apoya' the same as 'apoyo'?

No. 'Apoya' is an action (he/she supports or lean!), while 'apoyo' is either the noun (the support) or the 'I' form of the action (I support).

Can I use 'apoya' for a physical wall?

Yes! You can say 'apoya la espalda contra la pared' to mean 'lean your back against the wall'.