apoyo

/ah-POY-oh/

support

When apoyo is used as a noun, it means 'support' or assistance.

apoyo(noun)

mA2

support

emotional or practical assistance

aid

financial or logistical help

Also:

backing

for a person or a cause

rest

physical point of contact/support

📝 In Action

Gracias por tu apoyo incondicional durante la crisis.

Thank you for your unconditional support during the crisis.

El proyecto recibió un gran apoyo del gobierno local.

The project received great backing from the local government.

Necesitamos un punto de apoyo estable para subir la escalera.

We need a stable point of rest/support to climb the ladder.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ayuda (help)
respaldo (backing)
asistencia (assistance)

Antonyms

oposición (opposition)
rechazo (rejection)

Common Collocations

brindar apoyo – to offer support
apoyo moral – moral support

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'apoyo' ends in -o, it is almost always a masculine noun and uses the article 'el' (el apoyo, un apoyo).

⭐ Usage Tips

Connecting to the Person

To say 'support for X', use the preposition 'a' or 'hacia'. (e.g., 'mi apoyo al director' — my support for the director).

A large human hand gently cupping and stabilizing a small, wobbly flower pot so it does not fall over.

The verb form, apoyo, means 'I support' or 'I give aid'.

apoyo(verb)

A1regular ar

I support

I give aid/backing

I lean

I rest my weight against something

Also:

I back

I endorse a position

📝 In Action

Yo apoyo tu plan cien por ciento.

I support your plan one hundred percent.

Siempre me apoyo en mis amigos cuando estoy triste.

I always lean on my friends when I am sad. (Note: uses the reflexive form 'apoyarse')

Word Connections

Synonyms

ayudar (to help)
respaldar (to back)

Antonyms

oponerse (to oppose)

💡 Grammar Points

Reflexive Form: Apoyarse

When you use 'apoyarse,' it means you are physically leaning on something or relying on someone for help (like leaning on a wall, or relying on family).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Leaning on vs. Supporting

Mistake: "Using 'apoyar' when you mean 'soportar' (to tolerate or bear weight)."

Correction: 'Apoyar' is usually emotional/political support or leaning. To say 'The column supports the roof', use 'soportar'.

🔄 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/apoyase

yoapoyara/apoyase

túapoyaras/apoyases

ellos/ellas/ustedesapoyaran/apoyasen

nosotrosapoyáramos/apoyásemos

vosotrosapoyarais/apoyaseis

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: apoyo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'apoyo' as a noun (meaning help or assistance)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

apoyar(to support, to lean) - verb

apoyado(supported, leaning) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'apoyo' (noun) y 'apoyar' (verb)?

The difference is simple: 'apoyar' is the action (to support/to lean), and 'apoyo' is the thing or result (the support/the aid itself). 'Yo apoyo' is also the verb conjugated form, meaning 'I support'.

Can I use 'apoyo' to mean 'I bear weight' or 'I tolerate'?

No. When you mean to tolerate or bear physical weight (like a roof supporting a heavy load), the correct Spanish verb is usually 'soportar'. 'Apoyar' means to lean gently or to give encouragement.