How to Say "to supply" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to supply” is “proporcionar” — use this when furnishing someone or something with items or resources that are needed, like services or goods..
proporcionar
/pro-por-syo-nar//pɾopoɾsjoˈnaɾ/
Examples
El hotel proporciona toallas limpias a los huéspedes.
The hotel provides clean towels to the guests.
Esta página web proporciona información útil para los turistas.
This website provides useful information for tourists.
El nuevo empleo le proporcionó la estabilidad que buscaba.
The new job gave him the stability he was looking for.
A More Formal 'Give'
Think of 'proporcionar' as the professional version of 'dar' (to give). Use it when you are talking about providing services, information, or resources in a business or school setting.
Using it with People
When you provide something TO someone, use 'a' before the person, just like with 'dar'. For example: 'Proporcionar algo a alguien'.
Don't say 'Proporcionar para'
Mistake: “Proporcionar para los estudiantes.”
Correction: Proporcionar a los estudiantes.
proveer
/pro-beh-EHR//pɾoβeˈeɾ/
Examples
El hotel provee toallas y jabón a todos sus huéspedes.
The hotel provides towels and soap to all its guests.
Es responsabilidad del estado proveer de agua potable a la población.
It is the state's responsibility to provide the population with drinking water.
La empresa nos proveyó de todo el equipo necesario para el trabajo.
The company supplied us with all the necessary equipment for the job.
Using the preposition 'de'
In English, we say 'provide WITH.' In Spanish, we use 'de' (of). For example: 'Nos proveen DE comida' (They provide us with food).
The Y-Spelling Rule
When 'i' falls between two vowels in the past tense or the -ing form, it changes to 'y' to keep the sound clear (proveyó, proveyendo).
Using 'con' instead of 'de'
Mistake: “Me proveyeron con los libros.”
Correction: Me proveyeron de los libros. (Spanish requires 'de' when mentioning what is being supplied).
abastecer
/ah-bahs-teh-SEHR//aβasteˈθer/
Examples
El camión abastece al supermercado todas las mañanas.
The truck supplies the supermarket every morning.
Es vital abastecer de agua potable a las zonas rurales.
It is vital to provide rural areas with drinking water.
Muchos países intentan abastecerse de energía renovable.
Many countries are trying to supply themselves with renewable energy.
The 'ZC' Spelling Change
When you say 'I supply' in the present tense, the 'c' changes to 'zc' (abastezco) to keep the sound consistent. This happens in the 'yo' form and in all 'special forms' used for wishes or commands.
Using 'A' and 'De'
To say who you are supplying, use 'a' (Abastecer a la ciudad). To say what you are supplying, use 'de' (Abastecer de agua).
The Wrong 'I' Form
Mistake: “Yo abasteco.”
Correction: Yo abastezco. Because the word ends in -ecer, it needs that extra 'z' to sound right when conjugated for 'I' in the present.
dotar
/doh-TAR//doˈtaɾ/
Examples
El gobierno decidió dotar al hospital de nuevos equipos de rayos X.
The government decided to equip the hospital with new X-ray machines.
Es fundamental dotar a las escuelas con acceso a internet de alta velocidad.
It is fundamental to provide schools with high-speed internet access.
Han dotado al parque de una zona de juegos para niños.
They have provided the park with a play area for children.
Using 'de' after dotar
In Spanish, when you want to say you are equipping something 'with' a resource, you almost always use the word 'de' (of) instead of 'con' (with). For example: 'dotar de agua' (to provide with water).
A Regular Verb
Dotar is a perfectly regular -ar verb, meaning it follows the standard pattern for verbs like 'hablar' in every tense.
Forgetting the 'de'
Mistake: “Dotaron el centro herramientas.”
Correction: Dotaron el centro DE herramientas. (You need the word 'de' to connect the place being equipped to the items being provided.)
suministrar
/soo-mee-nees-trar//suminisˈtɾaɾ/
Examples
La empresa suministra electricidad a toda la región.
The company supplies electricity to the entire region.
Es necesario suministrar agua potable a las zonas afectadas.
It is necessary to provide drinking water to the affected areas.
Deben suministrar todas las pruebas antes del juicio.
They must furnish all the evidence before the trial.
Using 'a' for Recipients
When you mention who is receiving the supply, always use the word 'a' before the person or group: 'Suministran comida a los refugios'.
Direct Supply
Unlike English where you 'supply someone with something,' in Spanish, you 'supply the thing' (direct) 'to the person' (indirect).
Don't use 'con'
Mistake: “Suministrar la ciudad con agua.”
Correction: Suministrar agua a la ciudad. In Spanish, the thing being provided is the main object, not the person.
facilitar
/fah-see-lee-tahr//fasi.liˈtaɾ/
Examples
¿Me puede facilitar su número de teléfono?
Can you provide me with your phone number?
La empresa nos facilitó todo el material necesario.
The company supplied us with all the necessary material.
Two People involved
When giving something to someone, you use 'me,' 'te,' or 'le' to show who is receiving the information (e.g., 'Me facilitó los datos').
Wrong Preposition
Mistake: “Facilitar con información.”
Correction: Facilitar información. You don't need 'con' (with) between the verb and the thing you are providing.
nutrir
/noo-treer//nuˈtɾiɾ/
Examples
Sus viajes sirven para nutrir su imaginación como escritor.
His travels serve to fuel his imagination as a writer.
Debemos nutrir el debate con diferentes puntos de vista.
We must enrich the debate with different points of view.
Los nuevos datos van a nutrir nuestra base de información.
The new data is going to supply/populate our information base.
Abstract Usage
In this sense, the word acts as a bridge between a source and a result. 'A' (the source) nutre 'B' (the idea or project).
Proporcionar vs. Proveer vs. Abastecer
Related Translations
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