asentar
“asentar” means “to settle” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to settle, to lay
Also: to place
📝 In Action
Primero tenemos que asentar las bases del negocio.
B1First we have to lay the foundations of the business.
El edificio se asienta sobre un terreno firme.
B2The building sits/is settled on firm ground.
Asentó la taza sobre el plato con suavidad.
A2He placed the cup on the plate gently.
to record, to note down
📝 In Action
El contable debe asentar todas las ventas en el libro.
C1The accountant must record all sales in the ledger.
El juez asentó la declaración del testigo.
C1The judge noted down the witness's statement.
to settle
Also: to let sit
📝 In Action
Tómate una manzanilla para asentar el estómago.
B1Drink a chamomile tea to settle your stomach.
Hay que dejar asentar el café antes de servirlo.
B2You have to let the coffee settle before serving it.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: asentar
Question 1 of 3
Which form of 'asentar' is correct for 'I lay the foundations'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'adsentāre', derived from 'sedēre' (to sit). It originally meant to cause someone to sit or to place something firmly.
First recorded: 13th Century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'asentar' the same as 'sentar'?
No. 'Sentar' means to sit down (physically on a chair), while 'asentar' means to establish, settle, or place something firmly.
Is it 'yo asento' or 'yo asiento'?
It is 'yo asiento'. Like many Spanish verbs, the 'e' changes to 'ie' when you emphasize that part of the word.
Can 'asentar' be used for writing?
Yes, but it's very formal. It means to officially record or register information in a document.