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"Soportar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to stand", and "apoyar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to support". Learn more about the difference between "soportar" and "apoyar" below.
soportar(
soh
-
pohr
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to stand
Su marido la dejó porque no podía soportar sus mentiras.Her husband left her because he couldn't stand her lies.
b. to put up with
No voy a soportar esta situación mucho más.I'm not going to put up with this situation much longer.
2. (to endure)
a. to bear
El chico soportó el tratamiento doloroso con valor.The boy bore the painful treatment bravely.
3. (to hold up)
a. to support
Los montantes de la pared soportan la plataforma.The platform is being supported by the wall studs.
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.
