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"Approve" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "aprobar", and "approve of" is a transitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "aprobar". Learn more about the difference between "approve" and "approve of" below.
approve(
uh
-
pruv
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. aprobar
The board approved the directive, and we had to comply.La junta aprobó la directiva y tuvimos que acatarla.
b. dar el visto bueno a
A committee of professors approved the report before its submission.Un comité de catedráticos dio el visto bueno al informe antes de su presentación.
c. autorizar
The permit was approved by the authorities.El permiso fue autorizado por las autoridades.
a. aprobar
I hadn't approved my son's decision, but now I see he made the right one.No aprobaba la decisión de mi hijo, pero ahora veo que tomó la correcta.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. estar de acuerdo con
50% of the voters say they approve of the way the President is handling the campaign.El 50 % de los votantes afirma estar de acuerdo con la forma en que el Presidente está llevando la campaña.
b. aprobar
Things have changed, and now many people approve of same-sex marriage.Las cosas han cambiado y ahora muchos aprueban el matrimonio homosexual.
c. dar el visto bueno a
Neither my parents nor my teachers approved of my career choice.Ni mis padres ni mis profesores dieron el visto bueno a mi elección profesional.
d. gustar
At first my dad didn't approve of my boyfriend.Al principio a mi padre no le gustaba mi novio.
a. estar de acuerdo
I don't personally approve, but go for it if it makes you happy.Personalmente, no estoy de acuerdo, pero si a ti te hace feliz, adelante.
b. aprobar
I asked my boyfriend if the dress looked good on me, and he approved.Le pregunté a mi novio si el vestido me quedaba bien y él lo aprobó.
c. dar el visto bueno
My parents approved when I said I wanted to move out.Mis padres dieron el visto bueno cuando dije que me quería mudar.
d. dar su aprobación
He nodded as a sign that he approved.Asintió con la cabeza para indicar que daba su aprobación.
approve of(
uh
-
pruv
uhv
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (general)
a. aprobar
I didn't say I approve of his behavior, simply that I can understand why he does it.No dije que aprobara su conducta, simplemente que entiendo por qué lo hace.
b. estar de acuerdo con
I approve of letting children learn through their mistakes, but we also have to set some boundaries.Estoy de acuerdo con dejar que los niños aprendan de sus propios errores, pero también hay que establecer ciertos límites.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Helen made it clear she didn't approve of me going to the festival.Helen dejó bien claro que no le parecía bien que fuera al festival.
My parents have never approved of my boyfriend, Jeff.A mis padres nunca les ha gustado mi novio, Jeff.
