apoya

ah-POY-ahaˈpoʝa

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

to support🔊A2Verb

to provide help, backing, or approval for someone or an idea

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to lean🔊B1Verb

to place something against a surface for balance

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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.

She always supports her family.

El gobierno apoya el nuevo plan.

The government backs the new plan.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ayuda (helps)
respalda (backs up)

Antonyms

abandona (abandons)
opone (opposes)

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.

He leans the ladder against the wall.

Apoya tu cabeza en mi hombro.

Rest your head on my shoulder.

Word Connections

Synonyms

descansa (rests)
inclina (leans/tips)

Antonyms

levanta (lifts)

Common Collocations

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

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoapoyara

túapoyaras

él/ella/ustedapoyara

nosotrosapoyáramos

vosotrosapoyarais

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyaran

Present Subjunctive

yoapoye

túapoyes

él/ella/ustedapoye

nosotrosapoyemos

vosotrosapoyéis

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyen

Indicative

Preterite

yoapoyé

túapoyaste

él/ella/ustedapoyó

nosotrosapoyamos

vosotrosapoyasteis

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyaron

Imperfect

yoapoyaba

túapoyabas

él/ella/ustedapoyaba

nosotrosapoyábamos

vosotrosapoyabais

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyaban

Present

yoapoyo

túapoyas

él/ella/ustedapoya

nosotrosapoyamos

vosotrosapoyáis

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyan

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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "apoya" in Spanish:

to back→to base→to favor→to lean→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'.