aprobar
Lemma Details
Translation: to approve; to pass (an exam); to endorse; to sanction; to accept
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'approbare', which combines 'ad-' (to, toward) and 'probare' (to test, prove, approve). The English cognate 'approve' shares this Latin root. The connection to 'proof' and 'probe' is also evident, all stemming from the concept of testing something to determine its value or acceptability.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El comité aprobó el proyecto por unanimidad.
The committee unanimously approved the project.
María aprobó todos sus exámenes finales.
María passed all her final exams.
El congreso debe aprobar la nueva ley antes de fin de año.
Congress must approve the new law before the end of the year.
No apruebo tu comportamiento.
I don't approve of your behavior.
Mnemonics
- Think 'a-PROBE-ar' - like you're probing or testing something before giving approval.
- Sounds like 'approve' with a Spanish ending.
- Remember the phrase 'I approve' (apruebo) to recall the meaning.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish educational contexts, 'aprobar' is frequently used to indicate passing an exam or course, which is a primary meaning alongside the general sense of approval. The Spanish grading system traditionally uses 'aprobado' (passed) versus 'suspenso' (failed) as basic assessment categories.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Aprobar' means 'to approve' or 'to pass an exam', while 'probar' means 'to try', 'to taste', or 'to test'.
This word:
El estudiante aprobó el examen con buena nota.
The student passed the exam with a good grade.
Notes: Both verbs share the Latin root 'probare' (to test), but 'aprobar' specifically indicates a positive outcome of testing.
Mnemonic: 'Aprobar' has the 'a-' prefix, adding the meaning of approval or acceptance to the testing concept in 'probar'.
Explanation: 'Aprobar' means 'to approve' or 'to pass', while 'reprobar' means 'to disapprove' or 'to fail'.
Notes: 'Reprobar' is essentially the opposite of 'aprobar' in both educational and general contexts.
Mnemonic: Think of the 're-' prefix in 'reprobar' as indicating rejection or negative response, opposite to approval.