admitir
Lemma Details
Translation: to admit; to accept; to allow; to acknowledge; to confess
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'admittere', composed of 'ad-' (to, toward) and 'mittere' (to send, let go). The English cognate 'admit' shares the same Latin root. The core meaning involves allowing entry or accepting something as true. This connection to 'sending toward' or 'letting in' helps explain why the word encompasses both physical admission (letting someone enter) and conceptual admission (accepting a truth).
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El director admitió a veinte nuevos estudiantes.
The director admitted twenty new students.
Tengo que admitir que me equivoqué.
I have to admit that I was wrong.
Este club no admite a menores de edad.
This club doesn't allow minors.
El juez admitió la evidencia en el caso.
The judge admitted the evidence in the case.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'admit' in English - they sound almost identical and mean the same thing.
- Ad-mit-ir: imagine someone at the door (ad) sending (mit) you in (ir).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish legal contexts, 'admitir' has a specific meaning related to accepting evidence or testimony. In educational settings, it refers to the process of accepting students into programs or institutions.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'admitir' means 'to admit' or 'to accept', 'emitir' means 'to emit', 'to issue', or 'to broadcast'.
Confused word:
La estación de radio emitió un comunicado urgente.
The radio station issued an urgent announcement.
Notes: Both are -ir verbs with similar conjugation patterns, but their meanings move in opposite directions: 'admitir' is about taking in, while 'emitir' is about sending out.
Mnemonic: 'Admitir' starts with 'ad-' (toward) like accepting something in; 'emitir' starts with 'e-' (out) like sending something out.
Explanation: 'Admitir' can mean 'to allow' but often implies acceptance or acknowledgment, while 'permitir' specifically means 'to permit' or 'to allow' without necessarily implying acceptance.
Confused word:
Te permito usar mi coche.
I allow you to use my car.
Notes: While there is overlap in meaning, 'admitir' often relates to accepting truth or people, while 'permitir' relates to granting permission.
Mnemonic: Think of 'admitir' as 'admit' (confessing) and 'permitir' as 'permit' (allowing).