admitir

Admitir is a verb in Spanish (and also in Portuguese) with several related senses centered on acceptance, permission, and confession. In Spanish, it most commonly means to admit or acknowledge that something is true, to allow entry or access, or to accept someone or something into a place or program. It can also mean to confess or concede a fact or action.

Etymology and usage notes: Admitir comes from Latin admittere, formed from ad- “toward” and mittere “to send.” In use, it governs clauses with que to introduce a statement (admitió que llegaba tarde) and can be followed by a noun (admitir a alguien en un club) or by an infinitive (admitir haber cometido un error).

Conjugation and forms: Admitir is a regular -ir verb. Present indicative forms include: yo admito, tú admites, él admite, nosotros admitimos, vosotros admitís, ellos admiten. Preterite: admití, admitiste, admitió, admitimos, admitisteis, admitieron. Imperfect: admitía, admitías, admitía, admitíamos, admitíais, admitían. Present subjunctive: admita, admitas, admita, admitamos, admitáis, admitan. Imperative: admite (tú), admita (usted), admitamos, admitid, admitan (ustedes).

Senses and examples: As a transitive verb, admitir takes a direct object or a clause: “La universidad admite a nuevos estudiantes.” “El museo admite visitas guiadas.” “Admitió haber cometido un error.” With que: “Admitió que estaba cansado.” To indicate acceptance or entry, it can pair with phrases like “no se admite” or “se admite entrada” in institutional contexts.

Cognates and related terms: In Portuguese, admitir shares similar senses: to acknowledge, to permit, or to admit. Related verbs include aceptar, reconocer, and confesar, which convey overlapping nuances.

See also: admit, aceptar, reconocer, confesar.