consistir

Consistir is a verb used in Romance languages, notably Portuguese and Spanish, with core meanings related to being made up of parts or being based on something. In both languages it can express the idea that a whole is formed by components, or that a concept or action rests on a foundation or principle. A related sense is “to involve” or “to amount to” in a broader sense.

Etymology: Consistir comes from Latin consistēre, meaning “to stand together” or “to take a position.” The word has developed a closely related form and usage in both Spanish and Portuguese, retaining the sense of composition and basis.

Portuguese usage: Consistir is a regular -ir verb. The standard construction for composition is consistir em, followed by the elements that form the whole, or a substantive clause for essential content: por exemplo, “O prato consiste em arroz, feijão e carne.” and “A teoria consiste em uma explicação baseada em dados.” In other contexts it can also mean “to be based on” or “to involve.”

Spanish usage: Consistir is also regular in Spanish. The common preposition to indicate content or essence is consistir en: “La mezcla consiste en dos partes de agua y una de alcohol.” When listing components, many speakers also use consistir de, though consistir en is more widespread for describing content or core idea: “El informe consiste en un resumen de resultados.” It can also express “to amount to” or “to be.” Conjugation follows typical -ir verb patterns (present: consisto/consistes/consiste, etc.; preterite: consistió, consistieron).

See also: to form, to comprise, to be made up of, consistencia.