Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb #3,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

alentar

Top 3,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces alentar en 30 secondes

Explication alentar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'alentar' as a more advanced way to say 'cheer' or 'help'. While you might not use it every day, you will hear it in sports. Imagine you are at a soccer game. When the fans yell and clap, they are 'alentando'. It is like saying 'Vamos!' (Let's go!). At this level, just remember that 'alentar' is about giving good energy to someone. You might see it in simple signs like '¡Alienta a tu equipo!' (Cheer for your team!). It is a positive word. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just recognize that it is a 'good' action. It is similar to 'ayudar' (to help) but specifically about making someone feel stronger or more confident. If you see this word, think of a smile or a clap. It is a way to show you are a friend. In very simple sentences, it looks like 'Yo aliento a mi amigo' (I encourage my friend). Even if you mostly use 'animar', knowing 'alentar' will help you understand sports news and simple stories about people helping each other.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you start to see 'alentar' in more varied contexts. You might learn that it is a stem-changing verb (e to ie). This means 'I encourage' is 'Yo aliento'. You will notice it used in classroom settings where a teacher 'alienta' students to speak Spanish. It is slightly more formal than 'animar'. You should begin to use the structure 'alentar a + person'. For example, 'Mi madre me alienta mucho' (My mother encourages me a lot). You will also encounter its opposite, 'desalentar' (to discourage), which is useful for talking about things that are difficult. At this level, you can use 'alentar' to describe what fans do at a stadium or what parents do for their children. It is a great word to add variety to your vocabulary so you don't always use 'decir cosas buenas' (to say good things). You are moving from just recognizing the word to using it in basic descriptions of your life and hobbies, especially if you like sports or have supportive people in your life.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

As a B1 learner, 'alentar' becomes a key part of your vocabulary for discussing emotions, goals, and social issues. You should be comfortable with the stem change in the present tense (aliento, alientas, alienta...) and the fact that it is a regular verb in most other tenses. You now understand the nuance: 'alentar' is about providing 'aliento' (breath/spirit). You use it with the preposition 'a' followed by an infinitive: 'Nos alentaron a participar en el concurso' (They encouraged us to participate in the contest). You also see it in the news regarding the economy or politics, such as 'alentar el crecimiento' (to encourage growth). This level requires you to distinguish between 'alentar' and 'animar'. While often interchangeable, 'alentar' feels more intentional and is preferred in formal writing or when the support is significant. You can use it in letters, essays, and more complex conversations about motivation. It's also the time to learn related nouns like 'aliento' (encouragement/breath) and 'alentador' (encouraging/heartening), which allow you to say things like 'Es una noticia alentadora' (It is encouraging news).

At the B2 level, you use 'alentar' with precision and stylistic awareness. You understand that it can be used in the passive voice or with 'se' for impersonal statements: 'Se deben alentar las nuevas ideas' (New ideas should be encouraged). You are aware of its poetic origins related to breathing, though you primarily use it for its 'encourage' or 'stimulate' meanings. You can use it in professional environments to discuss 'alentar el talento' (fostering talent) or 'alentar la innovación' (stimulating innovation). Your grammar is solid, correctly applying the 'a personal' and the stem changes without hesitation. You also start to recognize 'alentar' in idiomatic or more literary contexts, such as 'alentar una esperanza' (to harbor or nourish a hope). You can compare and contrast 'alentar' with 'fomentar', 'promover', and 'exhortar', choosing the word that best fits the formality and specific intent of your message. At this stage, 'alentar' is not just a verb you know; it is a tool you use to add depth and professional polish to your Spanish, whether you are writing a report or giving a persuasive speech.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

For C1 learners, 'alentar' is a word whose nuances are fully integrated into your linguistic repertoire. You recognize its use in classical literature to mean 'to breathe' or 'to live,' and you can appreciate this metaphorical connection when it is used in modern, elevated prose. You use 'alentar' to describe complex social dynamics, such as 'alentar la discordia' (to stir up discord) or 'alentar el fervor patriótico' (to stoke patriotic fervor). You are sensitive to the subtle differences in register; you know that 'alentar' carries a weight of 'providing the necessary spirit' that 'incentivar' (which focuses on external rewards) does not. You can use the word reflexively ('alentarse') in its less common sense of recovering health or spirit in a sophisticated way. Your use of 'alentador' and 'desalentador' as adjectives is frequent and accurate, allowing you to provide nuanced critiques of situations. You understand the cultural significance of 'alentar' in the Hispanic world, particularly in the collective experience of sports and political movements, and you can discuss these topics using the word with the same ease as a native speaker.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'alentar' in all its historical, literary, and contemporary facets. You can use it to evoke its original sense of 'breathing' in poetic writing, or use it with clinical precision in an academic paper on economic stimuli. You understand the etymological journey from the Latin 'halitare' to the modern Spanish 'alentar,' and how this journey informs the word's current emotional resonance. You are capable of using 'alentar' in complex rhetorical structures, perhaps using it as a pivot in a sophisticated argument about social engineering or psychological resilience. You can effortlessly switch between 'alentar,' 'propiciar,' 'instigar,' and 'auspiciar,' knowing exactly which verb captures the subtle degree of intent and influence you wish to convey. For you, 'alentar' is a versatile instrument that can express everything from the roar of a stadium crowd to the silent, internal process of keeping a dying hope alive. You can analyze its use in the works of great Spanish-language authors and use it yourself to create text that is both grammatically flawless and stylistically rich.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

alentar en 30 secondes

Alentar means to encourage, cheer on, or stimulate. It is a stem-changing verb (e-ie) used in personal, sports, and formal contexts.
It comes from 'aliento' (breath), suggesting you are giving someone the 'breath' to keep going. It is stronger than just being nice.
Common structures include 'alentar a alguien a hacer algo' (encourage someone to do something) and cheering for a team in a stadium.
In formal Spanish, it describes promoting policies or habits, such as 'alentar la inversión' (encouraging investment) or 'alentar el ahorro' (encouraging saving).

The Spanish verb alentar is a multifaceted gem in the linguistic landscape of the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America. At its core, it signifies the act of providing someone with the courage, hope, or support necessary to continue a task or face a challenge. Derived from the word 'aliento' (breath), it metaphorically suggests blowing life or energy into another person's spirit. While in modern Spanish it is most frequently used to mean 'to encourage' or 'to cheer on,' its roots in the concept of breathing provide a poetic depth that distinguishes it from more common synonyms like 'animar'.

Emotional Support: When a friend is going through a difficult breakup or a career crisis, you use alentar to describe the process of lifting their spirits and helping them find the strength to move forward. It is more profound than just being 'nice'; it implies a restorative action.
Sports and Competition: In the context of a stadium or a race, fans 'alientan' their team. Here, the word translates more closely to 'cheering' or 'rooting for.' It captures the vocal and physical energy of a crowd trying to push their athletes to victory.
Economic and Social Contexts: Governments often seek to 'alentar la inversión' (encourage investment) or 'alentar el consumo' (stimulate consumption). In these formal settings, the word takes on a nuance of 'incentivizing' or 'promoting' specific behaviors or trends within a society.

La multitud no dejó de alentar a los corredores hasta que el último cruzó la meta.

In literary contexts, you might still find 'alentar' used to mean 'to breathe' or 'to be alive,' though this is archaic or highly poetic. For instance, 'mientras aliente' could mean 'as long as I draw breath.' However, for a B1 learner, focusing on the 'encouragement' aspect is the most practical path. It is a word that appears frequently in news broadcasts, sports commentary, and motivational speeches. It carries a certain weight and dignity that 'animar' sometimes lacks, suggesting a more intentional and perhaps more difficult effort to sustain someone's resolve. When you alentar someone, you are essentially giving them your own 'aliento' to help them keep going when their own breath is short.

El profesor buscaba alentar la curiosidad de sus alumnos mediante experimentos prácticos.

Professional Development: Managers use 'alentar' when discussing how to foster talent. It involves creating an environment where employees feel safe to innovate and take risks.

Es vital alentar el diálogo entre las partes en conflicto para llegar a un acuerdo.

Using alentar correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structures and the specific prepositions that often accompany it. Most commonly, when you encourage a person to do something, the structure is alentar a alguien a + [infinitivo]. This 'a' is crucial because 'alentar' is a transitive verb that frequently takes a direct object (the person being encouraged) and a prepositional complement indicating the action being encouraged.

Direct Object Usage: When you simply cheer for someone, you use the personal 'a': 'Aliento a mi hermano.' (I cheer for/encourage my brother). The focus here is entirely on the recipient of the encouragement.
Incentivizing Concepts: When the object is an abstract noun, the personal 'a' is dropped: 'El gobierno alienta el ahorro.' (The government encourages saving). This is common in academic and journalistic writing.

Mis padres me alentaron a seguir mis sueños sin importar los obstáculos.

The stem change (e -> ie) is one of the most frequent stumbling blocks for learners. In the present indicative, you say aliento, alientas, alienta, alentamos, alentáis, alientan. In the present subjunctive, it follows a similar pattern: aliente, alientes, aliente, alentemos, alentéis, alienten. Mastering these irregularities is key to sounding natural. Furthermore, 'alentar' can be used reflexively as 'alentarse,' meaning to cheer up or to recover health, though this is less common in everyday conversation than 'animarse' or 'recuperarse'.

Espero que estas palabras te alienten en estos momentos difíciles.

In formal documents, 'alentar' often appears in the passive voice or with 'se' impersonally. For example, 'Se debe alentar la participación ciudadana' (Citizen participation should be encouraged). This shifts the focus from who is doing the encouraging to the importance of the action itself. Whether you are writing a formal essay or cheering at a football match, 'alentar' provides the linguistic flexibility to express the act of fueling another's drive.

Debemos alentar el uso de energías renovables para proteger el planeta.

Past Tense Nuance: In the preterite, 'alentó' indicates a completed act of encouragement. 'Él me alentó' (He encouraged me). It implies the support was given at a specific moment.

No es fácil alentar a alguien que ha perdido toda esperanza.

If you find yourself in a Spanish-speaking country, the most visceral place you will encounter alentar is at a football (soccer) stadium. The fans are often referred to as 'la hinchada que alienta,' and the songs they sing are designed to 'alentar al equipo.' In this high-energy environment, 'alentar' is synonymous with passion, loyalty, and the collective voice of thousands of people trying to influence the outcome of a game through their support.

News and Media: News anchors frequently use 'alentar' when reporting on government policies. You might hear: 'El Banco Central busca alentar la economía bajando las tasas de interés.' Here, it sounds professional and authoritative.
Educational Settings: Teachers and school psychologists use this word when discussing student motivation. It’s a standard part of the pedagogical vocabulary used to describe positive reinforcement.

Escuchamos a los aficionados alentar con fuerza desde las gradas.

Beyond these public spheres, 'alentar' is a staple of 'autoayuda' (self-help) literature and motivational podcasts. In these contexts, the word is used to discuss internal motivation—how to 'alentarse a sí mismo' (encourage oneself) during times of self-doubt. It also appears in formal letters of recommendation, where a former employer might 'alentar' a hiring manager to consider a candidate. The word carries a level of sincerity that makes it appropriate for both deeply personal conversations and high-level professional communication.

El discurso del presidente fue diseñado para alentar la unidad nacional.

In television dramas (telenovelas), you might hear a character say, 'Vine a alentarte,' meaning 'I came to support you.' This highlights the word's role in expressing solidarity and friendship. Unlike 'ayudar' (to help), which might imply a physical action, 'alentar' focuses on the psychological and emotional boost provided by one person to another. It is the verbal equivalent of a supportive hand on the shoulder.

Es importante alentar a los jóvenes a participar en la política local.

Artistic Expression: Critics might use 'alentar' to describe how a particular movement or artist encourages a new way of thinking or a new aesthetic style.

Sus palabras de despedida sirvieron para alentar a los que se quedaban.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with alentar is confusing it with the English word 'alert'. Despite the similar sound, they are false cognates. 'Alert' is 'alertar' in Spanish. Using 'alentar' when you mean to warn someone can lead to significant confusion, as you would be 'encouraging' them instead of 'warning' them of a danger.

The 'Alimentar' Confusion: Because 'alentar' and 'alimentar' (to feed) share many letters and a general sense of 'providing something beneficial,' learners often swap them. Remember: 'Alimentar' is for the stomach; 'Alentar' is for the soul.
Ignoring the Stem Change: Saying 'yo alento' instead of 'yo aliento' is a classic B1-level mistake. While people will understand you, it marks you clearly as a non-native speaker. The 'ie' change is vital in the present tense.

Incorrect: El médico me alentó de que el virus era peligroso. (Should be: alertó).

Another common mistake involves the preposition 'a'. English speakers often omit it because the verb 'encourage' doesn't require a specific preposition before the object in English ('I encourage you'). In Spanish, you must include 'a' when the object is a person: 'Aliento a mi equipo.' Forgetting this 'a personal' is a grammatical slip that is common even among intermediate learners.

Incorrect: Quiero alentar mis amigos. (Correct: Alentar a mis amigos).

Finally, learners sometimes over-use 'alentar' in situations where 'animar' would be more natural. While they are often interchangeable, 'alentar' is slightly more formal and 'heavy.' Using 'alentar' to describe cheering for someone who just made a small joke might feel a bit dramatic. Reserve 'alentar' for situations involving effort, perseverance, or significant support. Understanding the register and weight of the word will help you sound more like a native speaker who appreciates the nuances of the language.

Correct: Mi abuelo siempre me alentaba a leer más libros.

Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive: Be careful with 'alentarse.' In some regions, it specifically means 'to get better' from an illness. If you say 'me aliento,' people might think you are recovering from a cold rather than encouraging yourself.

No confundas alentar con alardear (to boast). Son acciones muy diferentes.

To truly master alentar, you must understand how it fits into the broader family of Spanish verbs related to motivation and support. While 'alentar' is powerful, there are other words that might be more precise depending on the context. Choosing the right synonym can change the entire tone of your sentence.

Animar: This is the closest and most common synonym. 'Animar' is more everyday and can mean anything from 'cheering up' to 'organizing a party' (animar una fiesta). It focuses on 'anima' (soul/spirit) but is generally lighter in tone than 'alentar'.
Incentivar: Used primarily in business and economics. If you 'incentivas' someone, you are usually providing a tangible reward or a specific reason for them to act. 'Alentar' is about emotional support; 'incentivar' is about motivation through benefits.
Espolear: Literally 'to spur' (like a horse). This is a much more aggressive form of encouragement. It implies pushing someone hard to achieve a result, often through pressure or intense motivation.

Aunque alentar y animar son parecidos, alentar sugiere un apoyo más profundo y constante.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 'exhortar,' which means to urge or strongly encourage someone to do their duty. While 'alentar' is supportive, 'exhortar' is authoritative. Similarly, 'promover' (to promote) is often used interchangeably with 'alentar' when talking about ideas or social movements. For example, 'alentar la paz' and 'promover la paz' are both common, but 'promover' focuses more on the logistical spread of the idea, while 'alentar' focuses on the desire and spirit behind it.

El entrenador usó un tono severo para espolear a sus jugadores, en lugar de simplemente alentarlos.

Finally, consider the antonyms. To 'desalentar' is to discourage. This is a direct opposite and is just as useful. If 'alentar' is blowing life into a flame, 'desalentar' is throwing water on it. Understanding these relationships helps create a mental map of the language. Instead of seeing 'alentar' as an isolated verb, see it as part of a spectrum of human interaction that ranges from crushing someone's spirit (desalentar) to pushing them to their absolute limits (espolear).

Es más fácil desalentar a un principiante que alentar a un experto que ha fracasado.

Fomentar: Often used for habits or qualities. 'Fomentar la lectura' (to foster reading). It is very close to 'alentar' in a formal context but focuses on the growth of a habit.

No debemos alentar comportamientos que dividan a la comunidad.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The English word 'exhale' and 'inhale' share the same Latin root 'halare' as the Spanish 'alentar'. So when you encourage someone in Spanish, you are literally giving them 'air'!

Guide de prononciation

UK /a.len.ˈtaɾ/

US /a.len.ˈtaɾ/

On the last syllable: a-len-TAR.

Rime avec

cantar bailar soñar llegar hablar pensar amar jugar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'alentar' like 'alertar' (adding an 'r' sound where it doesn't belong).
Failing to tap the 'r' at the end.
Putting the stress on the first or second syllable.
Pronouncing the 'e' as a long English 'e' (like 'bee').
Forgetting the stem change 'ie' in conjugated forms like 'aliento'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in news and literature, easy to recognize.

Écriture 5/5

Requires remembering the stem change 'e-ie' and the preposition 'a'.

Expression orale 4/5

Natural in sports and supportive contexts, but 'animar' is more common in casual speech.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'alertar' or 'alimentar'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

ayudar decir aire querer bueno

Apprends ensuite

fomentar promover incentivar desalentar espolear

Avancé

exhortar auspiciar propiciar instigar

Grammaire à connaître

Stem-changing verbs (e -> ie)

Yo aliento (not alento).

The personal 'a'

Aliento a María (but aliento el ahorro).

Prepositional complements

Alentar a alguien A hacer algo.

Impersonal 'se'

Se debe alentar la paz.

Reflexive verbs for internal states

Ella se alienta ante el espejo.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Yo aliento a mi equipo favorito.

I cheer for my favorite team.

Present tense, first person singular.

¡Alienta a tus amigos!

Encourage your friends!

Imperative (command) form for 'tú'.

Mi mamá me alienta siempre.

My mom always encourages me.

Subject-Object-Verb order with 'me'.

Ellos alientan con mucha fuerza.

They cheer with a lot of strength.

Present tense, third person plural.

Es bueno alentar a los demás.

It is good to encourage others.

Infinitive form used after an adjective.

Nosotros alentamos en el estadio.

We cheer in the stadium.

Present tense, 'nosotros' form (no stem change).

Ella alienta a su hermano pequeño.

She encourages her little brother.

Use of 'a personal' before 'su hermano'.

¿Quieres alentar a los jugadores?

Do you want to cheer for the players?

Infinitive form after the verb 'querer'.

El profesor nos alienta a hablar más.

The teacher encourages us to speak more.

Structure: alentar + a + someone + a + infinitive.

Mis padres me alentaron a estudiar música.

My parents encouraged me to study music.

Preterite (past) tense.

No es fácil alentar a alguien que está triste.

It is not easy to encourage someone who is sad.

Infinitive used as a subject phrase.

Estamos aquí para alentar a los corredores.

We are here to cheer for the runners.

Use of 'para' to express purpose.

Ella siempre alienta a su equipo, aunque pierdan.

She always cheers for her team, even if they lose.

Present tense with stem change (alienta).

Me gusta alentar a mis compañeros de trabajo.

I like to encourage my coworkers.

Verb 'gustar' followed by infinitive.

El entrenador alentó a los niños después del partido.

The coach encouraged the kids after the game.

Preterite tense, third person singular.

Debemos alentar la lectura en casa.

We should encourage reading at home.

Direct object (la lectura) without 'a' because it's not a person.

Sus palabras me alentaron a seguir adelante.

His words encouraged me to keep going.

Preterite tense with indirect object pronoun.

Espero que mi apoyo te aliente un poco.

I hope my support encourages you a little.

Present subjunctive after 'espero que'.

El gobierno busca alentar la creación de empleo.

The government seeks to encourage job creation.

Formal usage in an economic context.

Si no me alientas, me resultará difícil terminar.

If you don't encourage me, it will be hard for me to finish.

Conditional sentence with 'si' + present.

Alentamos a los ciudadanos a reciclar más.

We encourage citizens to recycle more.

Present tense, 'nosotros' form.

Fue alentador ver a tanta gente en la marcha.

It was encouraging to see so many people at the march.

Use of the adjective 'alentador'.

Ella se alienta a sí misma cada mañana.

She encourages herself every morning.

Reflexive construction with 'a sí misma'.

No quiero desalentarte, pero el examen es difícil.

I don't want to discourage you, but the exam is hard.

Use of the antonym 'desalentar'.

Las medidas económicas están diseñadas para alentar la inversión extranjera.

The economic measures are designed to encourage foreign investment.

Passive voice construction.

Siempre ha alentado la curiosidad científica en sus hijos.

He has always encouraged scientific curiosity in his children.

Present perfect tense.

Es imperativo que alentemos el diálogo entre ambas partes.

It is imperative that we encourage dialogue between both parties.

Present subjunctive after 'es imperativo que'.

El público no cesó de alentar durante los noventa minutos.

The crowd did not stop cheering during the ninety minutes.

Usage of 'cesar de' + infinitive.

Sus éxitos alentaron a otros jóvenes a emprender.

His successes encouraged other young people to start businesses.

Preterite tense with 'a' + infinitive.

Me alentaría mucho recibir una respuesta positiva.

It would encourage me a lot to receive a positive response.

Conditional tense.

Se debe alentar la participación de la mujer en la tecnología.

Women's participation in technology must be encouraged.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

No debemos alentar falsas esperanzas en los pacientes.

We must not encourage false hopes in the patients.

Usage with an abstract noun (esperanzas).

El ensayo alienta una reflexión profunda sobre la identidad nacional.

The essay encourages a deep reflection on national identity.

Formal, academic register.

Cualquier gesto, por pequeño que sea, puede alentar a un espíritu abatido.

Any gesture, no matter how small, can hearten a dejected spirit.

Concessive clause (por pequeño que sea).

La retórica del líder buscaba alentar el odio hacia los extranjeros.

The leader's rhetoric sought to incite hatred towards foreigners.

Negative connotation of 'alentar' (to incite).

Es fundamental alentar el pensamiento crítico desde la infancia.

It is fundamental to foster critical thinking from childhood.

Use of 'fomentar' synonym context.

A pesar de las críticas, él siguió alentando su proyecto personal.

Despite the criticism, he continued nurturing his personal project.

Gerund form 'alentando'.

Sus palabras de despedida alentaron a los que se quedaban a resistir.

His farewell words encouraged those staying behind to resist.

Preterite with complex object.

La nueva ley alienta la transparencia en la gestión pública.

The new law encourages transparency in public management.

Journalistic/Legal register.

No me alienta nada el panorama político actual.

The current political landscape does not encourage me at all.

Object pronoun 'me' with 'alienta' as a psychological verb.

El autor utiliza la metáfora del viento para alentar la idea de cambio.

The author uses the metaphor of wind to foster the idea of change.

Literary analysis context.

Mientras aliente, no dejaré de luchar por mis principios.

As long as I draw breath, I will not stop fighting for my principles.

Archaic/Poetic use meaning 'to breathe'.

La institución debe alentar la excelencia académica sin caer en el elitismo.

The institution must encourage academic excellence without falling into elitism.

Nuanced institutional discourse.

Es falaz alentar la creencia de que el éxito no requiere esfuerzo.

It is fallacious to encourage the belief that success requires no effort.

Sophisticated vocabulary (falaz).

Su discurso fue un intento desesperado de alentar a una tropa ya vencida.

His speech was a desperate attempt to hearten a troop already defeated.

Historical/Narrative register.

La política monetaria ha de alentar, no asfixiar, la iniciativa privada.

Monetary policy must encourage, not stifle, private initiative.

Contrastive structure.

Alentarse en la adversidad es la marca de un verdadero líder.

Cheering oneself up in adversity is the mark of a true leader.

Reflexive infinitive as a noun phrase.

El clima de impunidad solo sirve para alentar nuevos crímenes.

The climate of impunity only serves to encourage new crimes.

Sociological commentary.

Collocations courantes

alentar el crecimiento

alentar la esperanza

alentar a las tropas

alentar el consumo

alentar la participación

alentar la curiosidad

alentar un proyecto

alentar a los jóvenes

alentar el odio

alentar el diálogo

Phrases Courantes

alentar a gritos

— To cheer loudly. Usually used in sports contexts.

La hinchada alentaba a gritos a su equipo.

alentar la llama

— To fan the flames. Metaphorically, to make a feeling or situation more intense.

Sus comentarios solo sirvieron para alentar la llama del conflicto.

alentar una sospecha

— To fuel a suspicion. To provide reasons for someone to believe something bad.

Su silencio no hizo más que alentar mis sospechas.

alentar el fuego

— Literally to stoke a fire, or metaphorically to provoke a reaction.

No deberías alentar el fuego de la discusión.

alentar el espíritu

— To hearten or uplift the soul.

La música clásica me ayuda a alentar el espíritu.

alentar con el ejemplo

— To encourage others through one's own actions.

Un buen líder debe alentar con el ejemplo.

alentar la discordia

— To stir up trouble or disagreement between people.

Hay personas que disfrutan alentando la discordia.

alentar el talento

— To foster and support natural abilities in others.

Esta beca sirve para alentar el talento joven.

alentar la paz

— To promote peaceful relations and understanding.

Todos los países deben trabajar para alentar la paz mundial.

alentar a la reflexión

— To prompt someone to think deeply about something.

El documental alienta a la reflexión sobre el cambio climático.

Souvent confondu avec

alentar vs alertar

Means 'to alert' or 'to warn'. Sound similar but very different meaning.

alentar vs alimentar

Means 'to feed'. Both involve 'giving' but one is food, the other is hope.

alentar vs alejar

Means 'to move away'. Phonetically similar start.

Expressions idiomatiques

"dar aliento"

— To give encouragement. Very close to the verb alentar itself.

Tus palabras me dieron el aliento que necesitaba.

neutral

"cobrar aliento"

— To take heart or gain courage after a setback.

Tras el descanso, el equipo cobró aliento y ganó.

literary

"sin aliento"

— Out of breath or breathless (from excitement or exertion).

Corrí tanto que me quedé sin aliento.

neutral

"hasta el último aliento"

— Until the very last breath. To do something until death.

Te amaré hasta el último aliento.

poetic

"recuperar el aliento"

— To catch one's breath, literally or figuratively.

Necesito un momento para recuperar el aliento después de esa noticia.

neutral

"devolver el aliento"

— To restore someone's hope or will to live/continue.

Ver a su hijo sano le devolvió el aliento.

literary

"mal aliento"

— Bad breath (halitosis). Important to know for literal contexts!

Comió mucho ajo y ahora tiene mal aliento.

informal

"alentar esperanzas"

— To cherish or nourish hopes.

No quiero alentar esperanzas que no se puedan cumplir.

formal

"quitar el aliento"

— To take someone's breath away (usually due to beauty or shock).

La vista desde la montaña quita el aliento.

neutral

"alentar el cotilleo"

— To encourage or feed gossip.

No deberías alentar el cotilleo en la oficina.

informal

Facile à confondre

alentar vs animar

Almost identical meaning.

Animar is more common for 'cheering up' or 'organizing'. Alentar is more formal and implies providing 'breath' or deeper support.

Animé la fiesta con música, pero alenté a mi amigo a no rendirse.

alentar vs fomentar

Both mean to encourage growth.

Fomentar is strictly for habits, qualities, or trends. Alentar can also be used for people and sports.

Fomentamos la lectura, pero alentamos a los lectores.

alentar vs estimular

Both involve motivation.

Estimular often has a biological or mechanical nuance. Alentar is more emotional/spiritual.

La luz estimula las plantas; las palabras alientan al niño.

alentar vs incentivar

Both involve pushing someone to act.

Incentivar usually implies a reward (money, prizes). Alentar is about spirit and hope.

Incentivamos la venta con comisiones, pero alentamos al equipo con un discurso.

alentar vs exhortar

Both involve encouraging an action.

Exhortar is much more formal and carries a sense of duty or authority.

El cura exhortó a los fieles a ser caritativos.

Structures de phrases

Yo aliento a [Persona].

Yo aliento a mi equipo.

[Persona] me alienta a [Infinitivo].

Mi padre me alienta a correr.

Es [Adjetivo] alentar a [Persona].

Es importante alentar a los estudiantes.

Espero que [Persona] me aliente.

Espero que mi jefe me aliente.

Se busca alentar [Sustantivo Abstracto].

Se busca alentar el crecimiento.

[Persona] ha alentado [Sustantivo] durante años.

Ella ha alentado la paz durante años.

Alentar a [Persona] a que [Subjuntivo].

Los alentó a que participaran en la huelga.

Mientras [Sujeto] aliente, [Acción Futura].

Mientras yo aliente, defenderé la verdad.

Famille de mots

Noms

aliento (breath, encouragement)

alentador (one who encourages)

desaliento (discouragement)

Verbes

desalentar (to discourage)

alentarse (to recover/cheer up)

Adjectifs

alentador (encouraging, heartening)

desalentador (discouraging)

alentado (encouraged, or healthy in some regions)

Apparenté

alma (soul)

ánimo (spirit/mood)

aliento (breath)

respiración (breathing)

vitalidad (vitality)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in sports commentary and news; medium in daily conversation.

Erreurs courantes

Yo alento a mi equipo. → Yo aliento a mi equipo.
Forgot the stem change 'e' to 'ie' in the present tense.
Aliento mi hermano. → Aliento a mi hermano.
Forgot the 'personal a' required when the direct object is a person.
El policía me alentó del peligro. → El policía me alertó del peligro.
Confused 'alentar' (encourage) with 'alertar' (alert).
Te aliento estudiar más. → Te aliento a estudiar más.
Forgot the preposition 'a' before the infinitive.
Nosotros alientamos. → Nosotros alentamos.
Applied the stem change to the 'nosotros' form, which is incorrect for this verb type.

Astuces

Watch the Stem Change

Remember: e -> ie. Yo aliento, tú alientas, él alienta, ellos alienten. Skip the change for 'nosotros' (alentamos) and 'vosotros' (alentáis).

Sports Context

Use 'alentar' when talking about soccer. It makes you sound very natural and shows you understand Hispanic sports culture.

Formal Tone

In business letters or academic papers, use 'alentar' instead of 'dar ánimos' to maintain a professional register.

The Breath Connection

Associate 'alentar' with 'aliento' (breath). Encouraging someone is like giving them the air they need to keep moving.

The Double 'A'

Remember the pattern: Alentar A [alguien] A [hacer algo]. Example: Aliento a mi hijo a leer.

Learn the Opposite

Desalentar is just as useful. Use it when talking about things that make people lose hope or give up.

Alentador

Use the adjective 'alentador' (encouraging) for news, results, or signs. 'Es una señal alentadora'.

Showing Support

Saying 'Vine a alentarte' (I came to support you) is a very strong and kind way to show solidarity with a friend.

Not 'To Alert'

Never use 'alentar' for warnings. Use 'alertar' or 'avisar' for that.

Economic News

When reading about the economy, 'alentar' usually means 'to stimulate' or 'to promote' a specific trend.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'ALENTAR' as 'A LENT AIR'. When someone is slow (lent) or tired, you give them 'air' (aliento) to help them speed up and feel better.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person blowing air onto a small, dying campfire to make the flames grow tall and bright again.

Word Web

aliento ánimo apoyo fútbol esperanza meta ayuda fuerza

Défi

Try to use 'alentar' in three different ways today: once about a sport, once about a friend, and once about a habit you want to start.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Spanish noun 'aliento' (breath), which comes from the Latin 'halitus' (breath/exhalation), from the verb 'halare' (to breathe).

Sens originel : To breathe, to exhale, or to provide breath to something.

Romance (Latin-based)

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to use 'alentar' if you mean 'to alert' (danger). Also, remember that 'mal aliento' is a medical/hygiene term, not a lack of encouragement!

While English speakers use 'cheer' for sports and 'encourage' for life, Spanish often uses 'alentar' for both, bridging the gap between physical shouting and emotional support.

The phrase 'alentar la esperanza' is a common trope in Spanish romantic poetry. Many football anthems in Spain and Latin America use the verb 'alentar' in their lyrics. Political speeches in Latin America often use 'alentar' when calling for national unity.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports / Stadium

Alentar al equipo
Alentar con cantos
Alentar desde la grada
Alentar hasta el final

Education / Parenting

Alentar a los niños
Alentar el estudio
Alentar la curiosidad
Alentar el esfuerzo

Business / Economy

Alentar la inversión
Alentar el consumo
Alentar la innovación
Alentar el empleo

Personal Support

Alentar a un amigo
Alentar en momentos difíciles
Alentar a seguir adelante
Alentar los sueños

Politics / Society

Alentar el diálogo
Alentar la paz
Alentar la unidad
Alentar la participación

Amorces de conversation

"¿Quién te alentó más a aprender español y por qué?"

"¿Qué haces para alentarte a ti mismo cuando tienes un día difícil?"

"¿Cuál es el equipo deportivo que alientas con más pasión?"

"¿Crees que es importante alentar a los niños incluso cuando fallan?"

"¿Cómo puede un jefe alentar mejor a sus empleados en la oficina?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre una persona en tu vida que siempre te alienta a ser mejor.

Describe una situación en la que tuviste que alentar a un amigo que quería rendirse.

¿Qué medidas crees que debería tomar el gobierno para alentar la protección del medio ambiente?

Reflexiona sobre cómo el acto de alentar a otros te hace sentir a ti mismo.

Imagina que eres un entrenador: escribe el discurso que darías para alentar a tu equipo antes de una final.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No del todo. Es un verbo de cambio de raíz (e -> ie) en el presente de indicativo y subjuntivo. Por ejemplo, se dice 'yo aliento' y 'tú alientas'. En el pasado y otros tiempos es regular.

'Animar' es más común en el habla diaria y se usa para situaciones alegres o para 'cheer up'. 'Alentar' es un poco más formal y sugiere dar apoyo profundo o fuerzas para continuar algo difícil.

No, eso es un error común. 'To alert' se dice 'alertar'. 'Alentar' significa animar o dar apoyo.

Significa 'out of breath'. Viene de la palabra 'aliento' (breath). Se usa después de correr mucho o al ver algo impresionante.

Se usa para describir la acción de los fans apoyando a su equipo. 'La hinchada alienta a los jugadores' significa que los fans están gritando y cantando para apoyarlos.

Lleva la preposición 'a' cuando el objeto es una persona (ej: aliento a mi madre). Si el objeto es una idea o cosa, no la lleva (ej: aliento el ahorro).

Es un mensaje que te da esperanza o te hace sentir con más confianza sobre el futuro.

Sí, se usa en todo el mundo hispanohablante, aunque en países como Argentina y Uruguay es extremadamente común en el contexto del fútbol.

Sí, en algunas regiones de Latinoamérica, 'alentarse' se usa como sinónimo de recuperar la salud después de estar enfermo.

El sustantivo principal es 'aliento', que significa tanto 'breath' como 'encouragement'.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes