consiento

Consiento is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb consentir. It means to give permission, approve, or assent to a proposal, action, or situation. The term is used in both formal and informal contexts.

Etymology and related forms: Consiento derives from Latin consentire, meaning to feel together or to agree. Related forms in other Romance languages include Italian consento and Portuguese consinto. The noun corresponding to the concept of approval or permission is consentimiento, and in medical or ethical contexts the phrase consentimiento informado (informed consent) is commonly used.

Usage and grammar: Consiento is a stem-changing verb in the present tense, with forms such as consientes, consiente, consentimos, consentís, consienten. It can take a direct object, as in “consiento la propuesta” (I approve the proposal). It is also used with the preposition en to indicate agreement to an action, as in “consentir en hacer algo.” In subordinate clauses it can appear with a subjunctive: “no consiento que se haga.” The term is often contrasted with other verbs like permitir, aprobar, or tolerar, depending on nuance.

Context and implications: In formal contexts, especially legal, administrative, and medical settings, consent and consentimiento are central concepts. Consiento expresses personal agreement, while consentimiento refers to the broader act or process of giving permission. The phrase consentimiento informado is a standard term in healthcare, describing the patient’s voluntary agreement after being informed of risks and alternatives.

See also: consentimiento, consentir, permitir, aprobar, tolerar, consentimiento informado.