How to Say "to admit" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to admit” is “admitir” — use 'admitir' when you mean to allow someone or something to enter a place or to accept them into a group..
admitir
ahd-mee-TEER/aðmiˈtiɾ/
Examples
La academia militar no admite estudiantes con antecedentes penales.
The military academy does not admit students with criminal records.
La universidad solo admite 100 estudiantes nuevos cada año.
The university only admits 100 new students every year.
¿Nos van a admitir en el museo si llegamos tarde?
Are they going to let us into the museum if we arrive late?
El club no admite mascotas grandes.
The club does not allow large pets.
Using 'a' with People
When you admit a person or animal, you must use the personal 'a' before them: 'Admitieron a mi hermano en la escuela.'
Using 'que'
When admitting a full statement (like 'I admit that I was wrong'), you must use the word 'que' (that) to connect the two parts: 'Admito que me equivoqué.'
Mixing Confession and Allowance
Mistake: “Using 'Admitió a su culpabilidad.'”
Correction: Say 'Admitió su culpabilidad.' The personal 'a' is not used here because 'culpabilidad' (guilt) is a concept, not a person.
admitir
ahd-mee-TEER/aðmiˈtiɾ/
Examples
Finalmente tuve que admitir que ella tenía razón.
I finally had to admit that she was right.
La universidad solo admite 100 estudiantes nuevos cada año.
The university only admits 100 new students every year.
¿Nos van a admitir en el museo si llegamos tarde?
Are they going to let us into the museum if we arrive late?
El club no admite mascotas grandes.
The club does not allow large pets.
Using 'a' with People
When you admit a person or animal, you must use the personal 'a' before them: 'Admitieron a mi hermano en la escuela.'
Using 'que'
When admitting a full statement (like 'I admit that I was wrong'), you must use the word 'que' (that) to connect the two parts: 'Admito que me equivoqué.'
Mixing Confession and Allowance
Mistake: “Using 'Admitió a su culpabilidad.'”
Correction: Say 'Admitió su culpabilidad.' The personal 'a' is not used here because 'culpabilidad' (guilt) is a concept, not a person.
confesar
kon-feh-SAR/kon.feˈsaɾ/
Examples
El niño confesó que rompió el jarrón.
The child confessed that he broke the vase.
El ladrón confesó su crimen a la policía.
The thief confessed his crime to the police.
Debo confesar que no me gustó la película.
I must admit that I didn't like the movie.
Ella confiesa la verdad solo cuando la presionan.
She only reveals the truth when they pressure her.
The Stem Change (e > ie)
In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of 'confesar' changes to 'ie' (confIESo, confIESas) except for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros) forms, which remain 'confesamos' and 'confesáis'.
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: “Yo confesó (Incorrect present tense)”
Correction: Yo confieso. Remember the 'e' changes to 'ie' in the 'I', 'you (singular)', and 'they' forms.
Confusing 'admitir' for entry vs. confession
Related Translations
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