endossar

Endossar is a verb used in several Romance languages, notably Spanish and Portuguese. It means to endorse, to back, or to authorize something, and in financial contexts it specifically refers to signing the back of a document to transfer its rights. The related nouns are endoso in Spanish and endosso in Portuguese, referring to the act of endorsing; the individuals involved are typically called endosante (endorser) and endosatario or endossatário (the endorsee) depending on the language.

In finance, endossar applies to negotiable instruments such as checks, promissory notes, or bills of exchange. By endorsing, the endosante transfers the right to receive payment to the endosatario. There are common forms of endoso: endoso en blanco (the endorser signs without naming the endorsee, making the instrument payable to bearer) and endoso nominativo (the endorsee is named). The act of endoso can also carry liability; in many jurisdictions, the endorser remains secondarily liable if the instrument is dishonored and the endorsee cannot pay.

Beyond finance, endossar is used in a broader sense to mean supporting or approving a person, project, idea, or policy. In this sense it functions similarly to the English “endorse.” In legal and contractual contexts, endosar can imply providing a guarantee or backing, sometimes overlapping with terms like aval or garantia, depending on the jurisdiction.

Etymologically, endossar likely derives from the practice of writing on the back of documents and is related to historical forms of endorsement found in French and other languages. The concept remains central to the transfer of rights and to formal approval in both Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking contexts.