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"Favorecer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to favor", and "apalancar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to lever". Learn more about the difference between "favorecer" and "apalancar" below.
favorecer(
fah
-
boh
-
reh
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to help)
a. to favor (formal) (United States)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Regionalism used in the United States
Este programa de alimentación favorecerá a las familias necesitadas.This nutrition program will favor families in need.
b. to favour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Un mejor entrenamiento de los maestros favorece a todos los estudiantes.Better training of teachers favours all pupils.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Era el día perfecto para una boda; hasta el clima nos favoreció.It was a perfect day for a wedding; even the weather was on our side.
La justicia debería favorecer a la víctima.Justice should be on the side of the victim.
a. to encourage
La reducción de las tasas de interés por parte de la Reserva Federal favorecerá la generación de empleo.The Federal Reserve's reduction of interest rates will encourage job creation.
b. to assist in
El propósito de este proyecto es favorecer el desarrollo de microempresas.The purpose of this project is to assist in the development of small businesses.
c. to help
Necesitamos favorecer el acceso de las mujeres a mejores oportunidades laborales.We need to help women have access to better employment opportunities.
a. to suit
Te favorece mucho ese nuevo color de pelo; ¡te ves más joven!That new hair color really suits you; you look younger!
b. to look good on
Está claro que los pantalones ajustados le favorecen.Definitively, tight pants look good on him.
c. to be flattering
Me gusta la foto de tu pasaporte; te favorece.I like your passport photo, it's very flattering.
favorecerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to benefit
Él solo dona a obras benéficas para favorecerse de las rebajas de impuestos.He only makes donations to charity in order to benefit from tax reductions.
apalancar(
ah
-
pah
-
lahn
-
kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to lever
Apalanca la tapa de la caja un poco y verás que enseguida sale.Just lever the lid of the box a little and it will easily come off.
b. to lever open
Los ladrones apalancaron la puerta de la casa.The burglars levered open the door to the house.
c. to jack open (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Alguien había apalancado la cajuela del coche y se había llevado las mochilas.Someone had jacked open the trunk and stolen the backpacks.
d. to lever up
No vas a poder mover esa piedra si no la apalancas.You won't move that rock unless you lever it up.
e. to jack up (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Apalancaremos el coche y le cambiaremos la llanta.We'll jack up the car and change the tire.
apalancarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
2. (colloquial) (to get comfortable) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. to settle down
Ayúdame a recoger la mesa antes de que te apalanques en el sofá.Help me clear the table before you settle down on the sofa.
b. to kick back (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Nos apalancamos en casa y no salimos en todo el finde.We just kicked back and stayed home for the weekend.
3. (colloquial) (to go and live; used with "en") (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. to ensconce oneself
Mis primos de Australia se apalancaron en mi casa hace ya casi un mes y no parece que tengan intención de marcharse.My Australian cousins ensconced themselves in my place almost a month ago and it looks like they have no intention of leaving.
4. (colloquial) (to get into a rut) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. to get stuck in a rut
Sanz alcanzó el éxito con su segundo álbum y después se apalancó.Sanz's second album was a hit, but then she got stuck in a rut.
b. to go to seed
Conviene no apalancarse cuando uno se hace mayor.You shouldn't let yourself go to seed when you get old.
