How to Say "support" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “support” is “apoyo” — use 'apoyo' for general emotional, practical, or moral assistance and backing, especially in personal relationships or during difficult times.
apoyo
ah-POY-ohaˈpoʝo
Examples
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.
Masculine Noun Rule
Since 'apoyo' ends in -o, it is almost always a masculine noun and uses the article 'el' (el apoyo, un apoyo).
ayuda
ah-YOO-dahaˈʝuða
Examples
Necesito un poco de ayuda, por favor.
I need a little help, please.
Gracias por tu ayuda con la mudanza.
Thanks for your help with the move.
La organización ofrece ayuda económica a estudiantes.
The organization offers financial aid to students.
It's a Feminine Noun
Even though it doesn't end in '-o' or '-a' in a typical way, 'ayuda' is a feminine word. That means you'll always use 'la ayuda' (the help) or 'una ayuda' (a help).
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: “Sometimes learners say 'Necesito ayudo' when they mean 'I need help'.”
Correction: The noun is 'ayuda', so say 'Necesito ayuda'. The word 'ayudo' is a verb form meaning 'I help'.
soporte
so-POR-tesoˈpoɾte
Examples
Necesitamos un soporte más fuerte para la televisión.
We need a stronger stand for the television.
El estante se cayó porque el soporte estaba roto.
The shelf fell because the bracket was broken.
He llamado a soporte técnico tres veces hoy.
I've called technical support three times today.
La empresa ofrece soporte las 24 horas.
The company offers 24-hour support.
Always Masculine
This word is masculine, so you must always use it with 'el' (the) or 'un' (a).
Compound Terms
When used for tech support, it's often followed by an adjective like 'técnico' or 'logístico' to describe the type of help.
Support vs. Help
Mistake: “Using 'soporte' to mean emotional support.”
Correction: Use 'apoyo' for emotional help. 'Soporte' is usually for physical or technical things.
Avoid 'Soportación'
Mistake: “Saying 'soportación' for support.”
Correction: The correct noun is always 'soporte'.
respaldo
rehs-PAHL-dohresˈpaldo
Examples
El proyecto cuenta con el respaldo de la comunidad.
The project has the support of the community.
Agradezco tu respaldo en estos momentos difíciles.
I appreciate your support in these difficult moments.
Using the Verb 'Contar con'
We often say 'contar con el respaldo' (to count on the support) when describing someone who has backing.
sostén
Examples
La familia es el sostén emocional en tiempos difíciles.
The family is the emotional support during difficult times.
aporte
ah-PORE-tehaˈpoɾte
Examples
Tu aporte a la fiesta fue muy importante.
Your contribution to the party was very important.
El científico recibió un premio por su gran aporte a la medicina.
The scientist received an award for his great contribution to medicine.
Necesitamos un aporte económico para terminar el proyecto.
We need a financial contribution to finish the project.
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in 'e', this word is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it.
Using it with Verbs
In Spanish, we usually say 'hacer un aporte' (to make a contribution) rather than just 'contribuir' when we want to sound more formal or specific.
Gender Error
Mistake: “La aporte es valiosa.”
Correction: El aporte es valioso. (Remember that nouns ending in -e that come from verbs are almost always masculine.)
contención
Examples
El muro de contención evitó que el río inundara la ciudad.
The retaining wall prevented the river from flooding the city.
solidaridad
so-lee-dah-ree-DAHDsolidaɾiˈðað
Examples
La solidaridad entre los vecinos ayudó mucho después de la tormenta.
The solidarity among the neighbors helped a lot after the storm.
Es un gesto de solidaridad con las personas que no tienen casa.
It is a gesture of solidarity with people who are homeless.
Debemos actuar con solidaridad para resolver los problemas del mundo.
We must act with solidarity to solve the world's problems.
The '-dad' Rule
Spanish words ending in '-dad' are almost always feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with this word: 'la solidaridad'.
Using 'with'
When you want to say who you are showing solidarity toward, use the word 'con' (with), just like in English: 'solidaridad con ellos'.
Confusing Nouns and Adjectives
Mistake: “Él es muy solidaridad.”
Correction: Él es muy solidario. (Use 'solidaridad' for the concept/noun, and 'solidario' to describe a person as an adjective).
adhesión
Examples
El sindicato recibió muchas muestras de adhesión.
The union received many expressions of support.
aguante
ah-GWAN-tehaˈɡwante
Examples
Gracias por el aguante durante mi enfermedad.
Thanks for the support during my illness.
La hinchada siempre le hace el aguante al equipo.
The fans always root for the team.
¡Qué aguante tienen esos amigos!
What loyal friends they are!
The 'Hacer' Connection
In slang, this word is almost always paired with 'hacer' (to make/do) to mean 'to support' or 'to accompany.'
Direct translation
Mistake: “Yo te soporto.”
Correction: Yo te hago el aguante. (In Spanish, 'soportar' often means 'to tolerate someone you dislike', whereas 'hacer el aguante' means you are helping a friend.)
brazo
BRAH-sohˈbɾaθo
Examples
Necesitamos más brazos para terminar la cosecha antes de la lluvia.
We need more hands (manpower) to finish the harvest before the rain.
La policía representa el brazo de la ley en la ciudad.
The police represent the arm (power/force) of the law in the city.
Ella es mi brazo derecho en la oficina.
She is my right-hand man/woman in the office.
espalda
es-PAL-daesˈpalda
Examples
El candidato tiene la espalda del partido para las elecciones.
The candidate has the party's backing for the elections.
Con un amigo así, sabes que tienes las espaldas cubiertas.
With a friend like that, you know you've got your back covered.
hombro
OHM-brohˈombɾo
Examples
Tuve que cargar con el hombro de toda la organización.
I had to bear the responsibility for the entire organization.
Siempre puedes contar con mi hombro para llorar.
You can always count on my shoulder to cry on (for support).
Figurative Use
When 'hombro' is used figuratively, it usually appears in set phrases like 'cargar con el hombro' (to carry the burden) or 'prestar el hombro' (to offer support). These phrases treat the shoulder as a symbol of strength or aid.
mantenga
mahn-TEN-gahmanˈteŋ.ɡa
Examples
Espero que usted mantenga la calma durante la emergencia.
I hope that you (formal) keep calm during the emergency.
El doctor recomienda que mantenga una dieta balanceada.
The doctor recommends that I/he/she/you (formal) maintain a balanced diet.
¡Mantenga la puerta cerrada en todo momento!
Keep the door closed at all times! (Formal command)
Dual Role of 'Mantenga'
'Mantenga' is used for two things: 1) The special verb form (subjunctive) for 'yo' (I) and 'él/ella/usted' (he/she/you formal). 2) The formal command for 'usted' (You, formal).
Irregular 'Go' Verb Pattern
The verb 'mantener' follows the same pattern as 'tener' (to have). In the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('yo mantengo') and all of the present subjunctive forms ('mantenga'), it adds a 'g' before the ending.
Confusing Subjunctive vs. Indicative
Mistake: “Using 'Es necesario que él mantiene la promesa.'”
Correction: Use 'Es necesario que él mantenga la promesa.' (It is necessary that he keep the promise.) Spanish uses the special 'mantenga' form after expressions of necessity, desire, or doubt.
mantengan
man-TEN-ganmanˈteŋ.ɡan
Examples
Es crucial que ustedes mantengan la calma durante la emergencia.
It is crucial that you all keep calm during the emergency.
¡Mantengan una distancia segura de las vías!
Maintain a safe distance from the tracks!
Ojalá que los precios se mantengan estables este año.
Hopefully, prices will remain stable this year.
Formal Command (Ustedes)
When you are giving a formal command to a group of people ('you all'), use 'mantengan'. For example, '¡Mantengan el orden!' (Keep order!)
Expressing Wishes/Doubt
When you want to express hope, doubt, or necessity about what others are doing, use 'mantengan'. This is the special verb form needed after words like 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'es necesario que' (it is necessary that).
Irregularity Alert
The verb 'mantener' follows the same tricky pattern as 'tener' (to have). Notice the 'g' in 'mantenga/mantengan' and the 'uv' in the past tenses (like 'mantuvo').
Using the wrong mood for wishes
Mistake: “Espero que mantienen la promesa.”
Correction: Espero que mantengan la promesa. (When expressing a wish or hope, Spanish requires the special verb form, not the normal present tense.)
Apoyo vs. Ayuda
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