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"Sustentar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to support", and "aprobar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to approve". Learn more about the difference between "sustentar" and "aprobar" below.
sustentar(
soos
-
tehn
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to bolster)
a. to support
Los dos pilares de mármol que sustentaban el altar casi se derrumbaron.The two marble pillars supporting the altar almost collapsed.
b. to hold up
Se reforzó con acero los soportes que sustentan el puente.The supports that hold up the bridge were reinforced with steel.
c. to bear the weight of
Hay cinco columnas que sustentan el techo.There are five columns bearing the weight of the roof.
a. to support
Eliana cría sola a sus hijos y se esfuerza para sustentarlos.Eliana is a single mother and struggles to support her children.
b. to maintain
Mi salario alcanza para sustentar a toda la familia.My salary is enough to maintain the whole family.
c. to nourish
Es deber de los padres sustentar y educar a sus hijos.It is the parents' duty to nourish and educate their children.
d. to sustain
El filántropo donó dinero a la cocina comunitaria para ayudarles a sustentar a más necesitados.The philanthropist donated money to the soup kitchen to help them sustain more people in need.
3. (to defend)
a. to maintain
El profesor sustentó su teoría de que Troya no existió.The professor maintained his theory that Troy didn't exist.
b. to uphold
Los experimentos realizados sustentan mi hipótesis.The experiments conducted uphold my hypothesis.
c. to support
Las pruebas sustentan la hipótesis de que fue un crimen.The evidence supports the murder hypothesis.
a. to sustain
El sector de la tecnología informática ha sustentado el crecimiento del PBI.The information technology sector has sustained the growth of the GDP.
b. to keep up
El general tiene que sustentar la moral de sus soldados.The general must keep up the morale of his soldiers.
sustentarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to support oneself
Consiguió su primer trabajo y ahora podrá sustentarse sin ayuda.She got her first job and now will be able to support herself without help.
a. to subsist
El náufrago se sustentó con pescados y frutas que encontró en la isla.The castaway subsisted on fish and fruits that he found on the island.
b. to sustain oneself
Mientras mis padres estaban sin empleo, nos sustentábamos a duras penas con agua y pan viejo.While my parents were unemployed, we barely sustained ourselves with water and old bread.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be based
Mi hipótesis se sustenta en los descubrimientos hechos recientemente.My hypothesis is based on recent discoveries.
aprobar(
ah
-
proh
-
bahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to accept)
b. to endorse
El comité de vecindarios aprobó el plan de la ciudad.The neighborhood committee endorsed the city's plan.
2. (politics)
3. (education)
a. to pass
Hay que estudiar mucho para aprobar ese examen de matemáticas.You have to study a lot to pass that math test.
a. to approve of
No apruebo la música fuerte de mi vecino a las tres de la mañana.I don't approve of my neighbor's loud music at three in the morning.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
5. (education)
a. to pass
Después de mucho trabajo arduo, por fin aprobé.After a lot of hard work, I finally passed.
aprobarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (politics)
a. to pass
La reforma constitucional necesita aprobarse por mayoría absoluta en las dos cámaras.The constitutional reform needs to pass with an absolute majority in both chambers.
b. to be passed
La nueva ley contra la violencia de género se aprobó por abrumadora mayoría.The new law against gender-based violence was passed by an overwhelming majority.
c. to go through
El proyecto de ley del salario mínimo se aprobó el pasado agosto.The minimum wage bill went through last August.
a. to be approved
El proyecto se aprobará en la próxima reunión del consejo.The project will be approved in the next meeting of the board.
b. to go through (purchase)
La transacción no se aprobó, señora. Intentémoslo de nuevo con la misma tarjeta.The transaction didn't go through, ma'am. Let's try again with the same card.
