I can't find anything referring to 'aguantar' and it's usage...

ClaraC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I can't find anything referring to 'aguantar' and it's usage...

Hola Inma,

Just wanted to ask if it would be possible to cover 'aguantar' at some point when you have time? It's a word that I often remember hearing as a young child. I think it'd be a good word to cover as it seems that it's often used in Spanish. 

Gracias y saludos :)

Asked 2 years ago
InmaKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hola Clara

We don't usually cover verbs that have different meanings because this is the case for lots of them and this would be simply vocabulary. We have a few lessons on verbs when they are used both pronominally and non-pronominally if this creates a lot of confusion. 

Following the different meanings that David wrote, I can give some specific examples using common sentences with this verb. 

1. Sostener o sujetar sin dejar caer; 

Estas vigas aguantan todo el peso del tejado.

These beams support all the weight of the roof.

 

2. Soportar o tolerar [algo molesto o desagradable]; (to put up with something/to bear/to not stand something)

No aguanto más las tonterías de mi jefe.

I can't bear any of my boss' nonsense anymore.

No aguanto al novio de Elena. Es un idiota.

I can't stand Elena's boyfriend. He's an idiot.

No tienes por qué aguantar a tu marido. Déjalo.

You don't have to put up with your husband. Leave him.

 

3. Reprimir o contener [un deseo o impulso - o no dejar que se manifiesten]; (to hold back an emotion)

No pude aguantar(me) la risa y tuve que salir rápido de la iglesia.

I couldn't stifle my laugh and I had to leave the church quickly.

-Mamá, necesito hacer pipí... - Aguanta Susanita, ya pronto llegamos a casa.

- Mum, I need a wee... - Hold it in Susanita, we'll get home soon.

Tenía ganas de besar al chico, pero me aguanté. 

I really wanted to kiss the boy, but I resisted/held back/contained myself.

4. Frenar, contener o resistir [algo en movimiento];

Con tus dos manos, aguanta aquí para que no se mueva más.

With your two hands, contain/hold this here so it stops moving.

(I think this is what they mean in point 4.)

 

5.  Conformarse con algo y aceptarlo aunque no responda a nuestros deseos. (to grin and bear it)

Estuve en esa fiesta aburrida toda la noche pero me tuve que aguantar porque mi amiga no quería irse.

I was at that boring party all night but I had to grin and bear it because my friend didn't want to leave.

 

This is an extra nuance but I'm not quite sure how to translate it; I can only think of "tough luck":

- No es justo, mi pastel es el más pequeño... - ¡Pues te aguantas!

- It's not fair, my cake is the smallest... - Tough luck!

I hope the different  meanings are a bit clearer with these examples.

Saludos

Inma

 

DavidC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Good afternoon Clara,

From my CLAVE [which also gives examples of sentences]:

1. Sostener o sujetar sin dejar caer;

2. Soportar o tolerar [algo molesto o desagradable];

3. Reprimir o contener [un deseo o impulso - o no dejar que se manifiesten];

4. Frenar, contener o resistir [algo en movimiento];

5. [Aguantarse:] Conformarse con algo y aceptarlo aunque no responda a nuestros deseos.

Un abrazo - David M

ClaraC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Buenas David,

Thanks so much for this detailed reply, very kind of you and appreciated. It seems to be a very useful word with varied ways of using it! 

I vaguely remember my father saying 'aguanta'. So I'm guessing he was telling one of us to 'hold on'. 

I think it'd be a good lesson for Kwiziq to include, considering it's varied usage.

Thanks again David 

Abrazos :)

DavidC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Thank you Inma ...

This is the example which the "CLAVE Diccionario" gives for no. 4:

"El jugador no pudo aguantar al contrario, que consiguió meter el gol".

Cheers !

ClaraC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Thank you Inma for this detailed reply, I really appreciate it and your time. 

Gracias y saludos. 

I can't find anything referring to 'aguantar' and it's usage...

Hola Inma,

Just wanted to ask if it would be possible to cover 'aguantar' at some point when you have time? It's a word that I often remember hearing as a young child. I think it'd be a good word to cover as it seems that it's often used in Spanish. 

Gracias y saludos :)

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