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apoyar

ah-poh-YARa.poˈʝaɾ

to support, to lean

Also: to prop up
VerbA1regular ar
A large, open hand firmly holding up a heavy wooden block from underneath, illustrating physical support.
infinitiveapoyar
gerundapoyando
past Participleapoyado

📝 In Action

Ella apoyó la escalera contra la pared.

A2

She leaned the ladder against the wall.

Necesito algo para apoyar este libro pesado.

A1

I need something to support this heavy book.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • apoyar la cabeza – to rest one's head
  • apoyar el codo – to lean one's elbow

to support, to help

Also: to endorse
VerbB1regular ar
Mexico
A cheerful figure giving a thumbs-up gesture and an encouraging smile to a determined smaller figure, symbolizing non-physical support.

📝 In Action

Todos los vecinos apoyamos su iniciativa para limpiar el parque.

B1

All the neighbors support her initiative to clean the park.

La familia la apoyó financieramente durante sus estudios.

B2

The family supported her financially during her studies.

Yo apoyo tu decisión, aunque sea difícil.

A2

I back your decision, even if it's difficult.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • oponerse (to oppose)

Common Collocations

  • apoyar una causa – to support a cause
  • apoyar un candidato – to back a candidate

to lean on, to rely on

Also: to depend on
VerbB1regular (reflexive) ar
A tired hiker taking a break, leaning completely against the thick trunk of a large tree for rest and stability.

📝 In Action

Me apoyé en el hombro de mi amigo después de las malas noticias.

B1

I leaned on my friend's shoulder after the bad news.

Nos apoyamos mucho en el trabajo en equipo.

B2

We rely heavily on teamwork.

Apóyate en mí si estás cansada.

A2

Lean on me if you are tired.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • confiar (to trust/rely)
  • recostarse (to recline/lean back)

Common Collocations

  • apoyarse en alguien – to rely on someone
  • apoyarse en la experiencia – to draw on experience

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedapoya
yoapoyo
túapoyas
ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyan
nosotrosapoyamos
vosotrosapoyáis

imperfect

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

preterite

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

subjunctive

present

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

imperfect

él/ella/ustedapoyara
yoapoyara
túapoyaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyaran
nosotrosapoyáramos
vosotrosapoyarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "apoyar" in Spanish:

to endorse→to help→to lean→to rest→to support→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: apoyar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'apoyar' in its reflexive form, meaning 'to rely on'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
el apoyo(support, backing (noun)) — Noun
apoyado(supported, leaning (adjective/past participle)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *appodiare*, meaning 'to lean on' or 'to place the foot upon.' This origin clearly shows why the word covers both physical leaning and metaphorical reliance/support.

First recorded: Medieval Latin

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: apoiarFrench: appuyer

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether to use 'apoyar' or 'apoyarse'?

Use 'apoyar' when you are supporting or leaning *something else* (e.g., 'I support the team'). Use 'apoyarse' when *you* are leaning on or relying on something for your own stability or help (e.g., 'I rely on my team').

Is 'apoyar' a regular verb?

Yes, 'apoyar' is a completely regular verb! You can use the standard '-ar' endings for all tenses, making it easy to conjugate.