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"Apoyar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to support", and "respaldar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to back". Learn more about the difference between "apoyar" and "respaldar" below.
apoyar(
ah
-
poh
-
yahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to uphold)
a. to support
Me gustaría apoyar esta medida, pero tengo unas dudas que quiero resolver.I would like to support this policy, but I have a few questions I want answered.
b. to back
¿No sabías que una potencia extranjera apoya a ese candidato?You didn't know that a foreign power backs that candidate?
2. (to lay)
a. to rest
No apoyes la espalda contra ese árbol porque está lleno de hormigas.Don't rest your back against that tree because it's full of ants.
b. to lean
Puedes apoyar el espejo contra la pared mientras busco un clavo.You can lean the mirror against the wall while I look for a nail.
c. to put
Es mala educación apoyar los codos sobre la mesa.Putting your elbows on the table is bad manners.
3. (to ground)
a. to base
Explícame otra vez en qué datos apoyas tu teoría de la energía.Explain to me again what data you base your theory of energy on.
4. (to confirm)
a. to support
Realmente creo que los resultados de tus experimentos no apoyan tu hipótesis.I really don't think the results of your experiments support your hypothesis.
5. (colloquial) (to touch sexually) (River Plate)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to feel up
Un tipo en el subte trató de apoyarme hasta que le pegué un codazo.A guy on the subway tried to feel me up until I elbowed him.
apoyarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to lean
No te apoyes en la pared; la vas a ensuciar.Don't lean on the wall; you're going to get it dirty.
a. to rely on
Te apoyas demasiado en Eddy; me gustaría que intentaras ser más independiente.You rely too much on Eddy; I'd like you to try to be more independent.
b. to depend on
Te puedes apoyar en mí, papá. ¡No te decepcionaré!You can depend on me, dad. I won't let you down!
a. to be based on
Esta conclusión se apoya en las siguientes cifras.This conclusion is based on the following figures.
respaldar(
rrehs
-
pahl
-
dahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to back
Nuestro partido respaldó la rebelión que derrocaría a la dictadura.Our party backed the rebellion that overthrew the dictatorship.
b. to support
Los últimos datos estadísticos respaldan nuestra hipótesis.The last statistical data support our hypothesis.
c. to endorse
El alcalde ha respaldado el plan del gobernador desde el principio.The mayor has endorsed the governor's plan from the very beginning.
d. to back up (in an argument)
Nunca me respaldas cuando discuto con papá.You never back me up when I have an argument with dad.
2. (to sign)
a. to endorse
Para cobrar el cheque, tiene que respaldarlo con su firma.To cash the check, you need to endorse it with your signature.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
3. (backrest)
respaldarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be based on
Sus ideas se respaldan en una filosofía sumamente compleja.His ideas are based on an extremely complex philosophy.
b. to fall back
Si no consigues vivir de la música, siempre podrás respaldarte en tu título de maestro.If you can't manage to live off music, you can always fall back on your teaching degree.
5. (to recline)
a. to lean back
Estaba tan agotada que se respaldó contra un árbol y se quedó dormida.She was so exhausted that she leaned back against a tree and fell asleep.
