asumir
/ah-soo-MEER/
to take on
The image shows someone taking on a new role or responsibility.
asumir(verb)
to take on
?a responsibility or role
,to assume
?a duty or position
to undertake
?a task
,to shoulder
?a burden
📝 In Action
Ella asumió el liderazgo del equipo la semana pasada.
B1She took on the leadership of the team last week.
Si cometes un error, debes asumir la responsabilidad.
B2If you make a mistake, you must assume the responsibility.
💡 Grammar Points
It's a Transitive Verb
This verb usually needs a direct object (a thing or responsibility) right after it. For example, you 'asumir' something (la culpa, el cargo, la tarea).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Asumir' and 'Suponer'
Mistake: "Using 'asumir' when you just mean 'to guess' or 'to think.'"
Correction: Use 'suponer' or 'creer' for mental guesses. Use 'asumir' when someone is physically or emotionally taking on a duty or situation.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
Using 'asumir' sounds more professional and serious than saying 'tomar' (to take). It implies a deeper commitment.
The image illustrates accepting a difficult consequence or reality.
asumir(verb)
to accept
?a difficult reality or consequence
,to come to terms with
?a truth
to face
?a situation
📝 In Action
Le costó mucho asumir la derrota después del partido.
B2It was very hard for him to accept the defeat after the game.
Ella tuvo que asumir que el proyecto no funcionaría.
C1She had to accept that the project wouldn't work.
💡 Grammar Points
Emotional Acceptance
In this meaning, 'asumir' describes the mental process of integrating a difficult fact, not just saying 'yes' to an invitation.
This image shows someone presuming or taking something for granted as true.
📝 In Action
Asumo que ya habrás leído el informe completo.
C1I presume you will have read the complete report by now.
Podemos asumir que el clima afectará el tráfico.
C1We can assume that the weather will affect traffic.
💡 Grammar Points
Mental Assumption
When used to mean 'to presume,' this verb is about making a logical jump or mental conclusion, rather than taking physical action.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'Suponer' Instead
In everyday conversation, most native speakers use 'suponer' or 'creer' (to believe) instead of 'asumir' when they just mean 'I think' or 'I guess.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: asumir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'asumir' in the sense of 'to accept a difficult reality'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'asumir' the same as the English word 'assume'?
Yes, but be careful. While 'asumir' can mean 'to presume' (like the English 'assume'), it is far more commonly used in Spanish to mean 'to take on a responsibility or role,' which is a slightly different nuance than the primary meaning of 'assume' in English.
How do I choose between 'asumir' and 'suponer'?
Use 'asumir' when the action involves taking something upon yourself (a job, a consequence, a challenge). Use 'suponer' when you are simply making a guess or an intellectual deduction ('I suppose that...').