asistir
“asistir” means “to attend” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to attend, to go toAlso: to be present at
📝 In Action
¿Vas a asistir a la reunión de mañana?
A1Are you going to attend tomorrow's meeting?
Ella asiste a clases de baile todos los viernes.
A2She goes to dance classes every Friday.
Muchos estudiantes asistieron al concierto benéfico.
B1Many students attended the charity concert.
Word Connections
to assist, to helpAlso: to care for
📝 In Action
Los paramédicos asistieron a los heridos en el accidente.
B1The paramedics assisted the injured people in the accident.
El abogado debe asistir a su cliente en el proceso legal.
B2The lawyer must assist his client in the legal process.
La enfermera asiste al cirujano durante la operación.
B2The nurse assists the surgeon during the operation.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: asistir
Question 1 of 2
Which verb should you use if you want to say 'I want to help you paint the fence'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Comes from the Latin verb *assistere*, which literally meant 'to stand by' or 'to take a position near,' leading to the modern meanings of both 'to be present' and 'to help'.
First recorded: Medieval Latin
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'asistir' a false cognate with the English 'assist'?
No, it's a true cognate! But it has two main meanings. While it means 'to assist' or 'to help' (especially in formal contexts), its most common meaning is 'to attend' or 'to be present at' (like a class or meeting), which is where it often confuses English speakers.
Do I have to use 'a' after 'asistir'?
Yes, almost always. Whether you mean 'to attend an event' or 'to help a person,' Spanish requires the preposition *a* immediately after the verb.