apoyar

Apoyar is a Spanish verb with transitive and pronominal uses. Its core meanings are to place something so that it rests on another thing, to provide support or backing, and to endorse or assist someone or something. The basic sense combines physical support with notions of moral, political, or financial backing.

In its transitive sense, apoyar commonly means to back or endorse a person, idea, or project. Examples include apoyar a un candidato (to back a candidate), apoyar una iniciativa (to support an initiative), or apoyar a alguien económicamente (to provide financial support to someone). It is also used for giving practical help, such as apoyar a una persona enferma (to help someone who is ill) or apoyar a un equipo deportivo (to support a team).

In its intransitive or pronominal use, apoyar can mean to lean or rest on something, or to rely on someone. Personal use appears as apoyarse en alguien (to rely on or lean on someone) or apoyarse contra la pared (to lean against the wall). The verb can also appear in expressions that convey stabilization or reinforcement, such as apoyar la espalda or apoyar una estructura.

Grammatical notes: apoyar is a regular -ar verb. Key conjugations include present: apoyo, apoyas, apoya, apoyamos, apoyáis, apoyan; preterite: apoyé, apoyaste, apoyó, apoyamos, apoyasteis, apoyaron; gerund: apoyando; past participle: apoyado. Subjunctive forms: apoye, apoyes, apoye, apoyemos, apoyéis, apoyen.

Etymology traces to the development of Romance languages from Latin, with the sense of placing, resting, or backing evolving into the broader figurative uses. Related and sometimes interchangeable terms include respaldar, sostener, and apoyar a as a phrase for backing ideas or people.