Inklingo

How to Say "to lean" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to lean” is “apoyar” — use 'apoyar' when you are resting an object against something for support or balance. This is a very common, general-purpose verb for leaning.

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apoyar

ah-poh-YARa.poˈʝaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'apoyar' when you are resting an object against something for support or balance. This is a very common, general-purpose verb for leaning.
A large, open hand firmly holding up a heavy wooden block from underneath, illustrating physical support.

Examples

Ella apoyó la escalera contra la pared.

She leaned the ladder against the wall.

Necesito algo para apoyar este libro pesado.

I need something to support this heavy book.

Direct Use

When using 'apoyar' to mean physical support, it acts directly on the object being held up (e.g., 'apoyar la mano' - to rest the hand).

apoya

ah-POY-ahaˈpoʝa

verbB1general
Use 'apoya' when describing the action of placing or resting something against a surface, specifically for balance. This often implies an active placement of the object.
A wooden ladder resting against a sturdy brick wall.

Examples

Él apoya la escalera en la pared.

He leans the ladder against the wall.

Apoya tu cabeza en mi hombro.

Rest your head on my shoulder.

Physical Leaning

When using this word for leaning, you often use the word 'en' (on/in) or 'contra' (against) to show where the object is placed.

inclinar

een-klee-nahriŋkliˈnaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'inclinar' when the action involves tilting or bending your body or an object to one side, often to change its angle.
A colorful pitcher pouring water, tilted at a steep angle.

Examples

Él inclinó la cabeza para saludar.

He tilted his head to say hello.

No inclines mucho la botella o se caerá el vino.

Don't tilt the bottle too much or the wine will fall out.

Ella se inclinó para recoger sus llaves del suelo.

She leaned over to pick up her keys from the floor.

Using 'Se' for Self-Movement

If you are the one leaning or bending over, you must add 'se' to the verb (inclinarse). If you are tilting an object, use it without the 'se'.

A Regular Pattern

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses.

Leaning without 'Se'

Mistake: “Yo inclino para leer.”

Correction: Me inclino para leer. (You need the reflexive 'me' because you are moving yourself.)

recostar

rre-kohs-TARrekosˈtaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'recostar' when you are leaning something, like a bicycle or a person, against a surface for rest or support, often implying a more relaxed or prolonged leaning.
A wooden ladder leaning against a bright blue wall.

Examples

Recosté la bicicleta contra el árbol.

I leaned the bicycle against the tree.

Ella recuesta su cabeza en mi hombro cuando está cansada.

She leans her head on my shoulder when she is tired.

No recuestes los cuadros contra la pared húmeda.

Don't lean the paintings against the damp wall.

The Vowel Switch

The 'o' in recostar changes to 'ue' when you stress it, such as in 'yo recuesto'. This happens in the present tense but not in the 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' forms.

Action vs. Self-Action

Use 'recostar' when you are leaning an object (like a ladder). If you are leaning yourself back, you must add 'me', 'te', or 'se' (recostarse).

Forgetting the Stem Change

Mistake: “Yo recosto la escalera.”

Correction: Yo recuesto la escalera. Remember, the 'o' needs to become 'ue' in the present tense for 'yo', 'tú', and 'él'.

Apoyar vs. Inclinar

The most common mistake is using 'apoyar' for tilting or bending actions. Remember, 'apoyar' is for resting an object against something for support, while 'inclinar' is for changing an angle or tilting.

Related Translations

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