support a family

Question

the translation is soportar una familia. I am not so sure that that is the correct translation. Support means maintenance in this instance and soportar to me means: to handle, to have patience to tolerate. Woudn't the proper translation be: mantenimiento de familia'

Answer 1

Vernic I ordered the rae, thanks. I think that with the Oxford, Collins and RAE it should be a good start.

Answer 2

Hi DoDro and Vernic: Apadrinar never even heard of it. One can use more familiar ways, however I have to give credit to Vernic because it is manutencion in a legal setting.

Answer 3

I believe that support of family can be translated from both forms
Ayudar a una familia (unos vecinos que estan en apuros)
Apadrinar a una familia del tercer mundo (ayudar economicamente por medio de una ONG, etc...)
there depends the idea that wants to give the one who says it

Answer 4

You are correct, but I think the more natural translation of apadrinar in that context would be "to sponsor."

Answer 5

yes
and help or support a family, boy or daughter in the third world is used Apadrinar

Answer 6

These are right about "Ayudar a una familia"; But, you can consider the other as true.
Ayudar is voluntary.
Mantener o dar manutencion is a moral or legal obligation, or may be for court order too.

Answer 7

I am not so sure, but I think that Support a family mean: Apadrinar una familia
support a family in third world=apadrinar una familia del tercer mundo
literally is Apoyar/Ayudar una familia

Answer 8

yes, indeed

Answer 9

Hola Vernic:
Again thank you, now that will be a great help. Hasta prontito.

Answer 10

Don't forget the personal A! "Estoy soportando a la mia."

Answer 11

Hola Greta. You will find it at: http://www.rae.es/rae.html
This is a very reliable source.

Answer 12

If supporting is "providing what is needed by the family to live" then you should translate it as "mantener una familia".

Answer 13

Yes, Vernic indeed, thank you very much!!!! I got the Oxford and Collins on back order (hard copy and CD) cannot find the Real Academia just yet. Thought this site will provide some help in the meantime. Guess what? It did! Much appreciated. I think that I will still use the site as well, it is nice to get some feed back from "real" people.

Answer 14

If you are looking for definition in a legal contex, the righ spanish word is MANUTENCION.
Se dá mantenimiento a una máquina; Se provee manutención a una familia.
ÿl mantiene a su familia, is correct, and the common form too.

Answer 15

Thank you James for your answer....and yes, agreed estoy soportando la mia, jaja.