Inklingo
Dictionary

apoyar

ah-poh-YARa.poˈʝaɾ

“apoyar” means “to support” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

to supportA1Verb

physically holding something up

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to supportB1Verb

to back a person or cause

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to lean onB1Verb

physical reliance

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to support, to leanAlso: 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 helpAlso: 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 onAlso: 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

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Often confused with soportarverbs

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "apoyar" in Spanish:

to endorseto helpto leanto restto 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
callarpagar
📚 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.