Inklingo

How to Say "supports" in Spanish

English → Spanish

aguanta

ah-GWAHN-tah/aˈɣwan.ta/

verbA2general
Use 'aguanta' when referring to something bearing physical weight or enduring a difficult situation.
A strong person is holding a large, heavy grey boulder above their head with both hands, showing physical support.

Examples

Esta viga aguanta todo el techo de la casa.

This beam supports the entire roof of the house.

¡Aguanta la caja con las dos manos o se cae!

Hold the box with both hands or it will fall!

Present Tense vs. Command

The form 'aguanta' is used both when talking about what a third person (he/she/it) does now, and as a direct command to you (tú).

ayudas

ah-YOO-dahs/aˈʝuðas/

nounB1general
Use 'ayudas' to refer to forms of assistance, aid, or subsidies, often from institutions or governments.
A colorful storybook illustration showing one child passing a bucket of sand to another child who is building a sandcastle, symbolizing aid and assistance.

Examples

El gobierno anunció nuevas ayudas para las familias con bajos ingresos.

The government announced new subsidies for low-income families.

¿Pediste las ayudas para estudiantes?

Did you apply for the student grants?

Necesitamos más ayudas para reconstruir la ciudad después del huracán.

We need more aid to rebuild the city after the hurricane.

Plural Form

This is the plural form of the noun 'ayuda' (help/aid). It is always feminine and usually takes the articles 'las' or 'unas'.

Mixing Parts of Speech

Mistake: “Using 'ayudas' (noun) when you mean the verb 'tú ayudas' (you help).”

Correction: If you are talking about money or assistance programs, use 'las ayudas'. If it's the verb, it usually follows 'tú'.

mantiene

man-tee-EH-neh/manˈtje.ne/

verbB1general
Use 'mantiene' when someone financially provides for another person or a family through their work or resources.
A smiling adult placing coins into a child's piggy bank, symbolizing financial support.

Examples

Su trabajo mantiene a toda su familia.

His job supports his entire family.

El gobierno mantiene un programa de ayuda social.

The government maintains (funds) a social aid program.

confirma

/kohn-FEER-mah//konˈfiɾma/

verbA1general
Use 'confirma' when providing evidence that an idea, statement, or reservation is true or valid.
A person giving a thumbs up while looking at a checkmark on a piece of paper.

Examples

El hotel confirma nuestra reserva para esta noche.

The hotel confirms our reservation for tonight.

Ella confirma que el examen es el lunes.

She confirms that the exam is on Monday.

One word, two roles

This word works as a statement ('He confirms') or a friendly command ('Confirm the plan!').

The missing 's' in English

Mistake: “Using 'He confirm' instead of 'He confirms'.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'confirma' covers the 's' ending we use in English for he, she, or it.

Verb vs. Noun for 'Supports'

The most common mistake is confusing the verb 'supports' (like 'aguanta' or 'mantiene') with the noun 'supports' (like 'ayudas'). Remember that 'ayudas' refers to the assistance itself, not the act of providing it.

Related Translations

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