apoyarse en

to lean on

to rely on

apoyarse en(ah-poh-yahr-seh ehn)

pronominal verb phrase

1. (to rest on)

a. to lean on

Sentí que me desmayaba y tuve que apoyarme en la pared.

I felt like I was fainting and I had to lean on the wall.

b. to lean against

El joven se apoyó en el carro y encendió un cigarrillo.

The young man leaned against the car and lighted a cigarette.

2. (to find support in)

a. to rely on

Si las cosas se ponen difíciles, ya sabes que puedes apoyarte en mí.

If the going gets rough, you know you can rely on me.

b. to depend on

Mi hija se apoya demasiado en mí. No es capaz de hacer nada sola.

My daughter depends too much on me. She's unable to do anything on her own.

c. to seek support from

Cuando murió mi esposo, me apoyé en mis hijos. No sé qué hubiera hecho sin ellos.

When my husband died, I sought support from my children. I don't know what I would have done without them.

3. (to be grounded in)

a. to be based on

Mi hipótesis se apoya en argumentos sólidos.

My hypothesis is based on solid arguments.