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desaprobar

B1 verb #4,500 most common 12 min read

desaprobar

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips desaprobar in 30 Seconds

Explanation desaprobar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the basic meaning of desaprobar as 'to not like' or 'to say no' in a very simple context. Even though it is a B1 word, you might see it in simple school contexts. Think of it as the opposite of aprobar (to pass). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that if a teacher says 'desaprobado,' it means the work was not good enough. You can use it in simple sentences like 'No me gusta desaprobar' (I don't like to fail). Focus on the 'o' to 'ue' change in the present tense: 'Yo desapruebo' (I disapprove). It is a long word, so practice saying it slowly: des-a-pro-bar. It sounds very similar to 'disapprove' in English, which helps! You will mostly hear this word in classrooms or when someone is talking about a grade. It is a very useful word to know if you are a student or if you are talking to teachers. Don't worry about the subjunctive mood yet; just use it with simple nouns.

At the A2 level, you can start using desaprobar to express simple opinions about things you don't like or agree with. You should be comfortable with its present tense conjugation, including the stem change: yo desapruebo, tú desapruebas, él desaprueba. You can use it to talk about school subjects: 'Desaprobé el examen de español' (I failed the Spanish exam). Notice that we don't use 'de' after the verb. You can also use it to describe a parent's reaction: 'Mi mamá desaprueba mi ropa' (My mom disapproves of my clothes). At this level, you are beginning to understand that the word can be used for both grades and social opinions. You should also recognize the noun form desaprobación (disapproval). Try to use it in the past tense (preterite) to talk about things that happened: 'El profesor desaprobó mi tarea.' It is important to start noticing that in Spain, people might use 'suspender' instead of 'desaprobar' for exams, so keep that regional difference in mind as you listen to different accents.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use desaprobar with more grammatical precision, especially when it comes to the subjunctive mood. This is the level where the word truly belongs. You should use the structure desaprobar que + subjunctive to express your disapproval of someone else's actions. For example: 'Desapruebo que gastes tanto dinero' (I disapprove of you spending so much money). You should also be able to use it in the imperfect and future tenses. At this stage, you should understand the nuance between desaprobar and its synonyms like reprobar or rechazar. You might use it in a debate or a formal letter to express a critical opinion: 'Desaprobamos la decisión de cerrar el parque.' You are also becoming more aware of how the word is used in the news to talk about 'índices de desaprobación' (disapproval ratings). This level requires you to move beyond simple school contexts and into social and political discussions. Remember that the verb is always transitive, so you must always have an object that is being disapproved. Practice using it in complex sentences with connectors like 'porque' or 'aunque'.

At the B2 level, desaprobar should be a natural part of your vocabulary for expressing critical analysis. You can use it to discuss complex social issues, literature, or professional feedback. You should be able to use it in all moods and tenses, including the conditional and the perfect tenses. For example: 'Si hubiera estudiado más, no habría desaprobado la materia' (If I had studied more, I wouldn't have failed the subject). You can also use it to describe subtle social cues: 'Ella desaprobó su conducta con un gesto sutil' (She disapproved of his conduct with a subtle gesture). At this level, you should be very comfortable with the regional differences in usage and choose your words based on your audience. You might also use the word in the passive voice or with 'se' for impersonal expressions: 'Se desaprueba el uso de plásticos en esta empresa.' Your ability to use desaprobar should reflect a sophisticated understanding of social norms and academic standards. You can also start using related idioms or more formal synonyms like censurar or vituperar when the situation calls for a higher register.

At the C1 level, you use desaprobar with stylistic flair and precision. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and can use it in academic writing or high-level professional environments. You can distinguish between the nuance of desaprobar (a judgment of value) and desautorizar (removing someone's authority). Your use of the word often involves complex structures, such as 'No es que desapruebe tu propuesta, sino que considero que no es el momento adecuado' (It's not that I disapprove of your proposal, but rather that I consider it's not the right moment). You can use the word to analyze political trends or philosophical arguments in depth. You are also capable of using the word in its noun form in sophisticated ways, such as discussing the 'clima de desaprobación generalizada' (climate of widespread disapproval). At this level, you are not just using the word; you are manipulating it to convey subtle shades of meaning, irony, or formal condemnation. You also have a wide range of synonyms at your disposal and know exactly when desaprobar is the most effective choice to achieve your communicative goals.

At the C2 level, your mastery of desaprobar is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You use the word in all its semantic richness, from the most technical academic failing to the most abstract moral condemnation. You can use it in high-register literature, legal documents, or complex philosophical treatises. You are aware of its use in historical contexts and how its meaning has evolved. You can use the word to create rhetorical effects, perhaps using it in a series of parallel structures to emphasize a point: 'Desapruebo su método, desapruebo su ética y, sobre todo, desapruebo su indiferencia.' You are also fully aware of the most obscure regionalisms and can adapt your usage perfectly to any Spanish-speaking environment. Whether you are writing a critique of a government policy or a deep analysis of a character's motivations in a novel, desaprobar is a tool you use with absolute confidence and precision. You also understand the psychological implications of the word and how it functions as a social regulator in different Hispanic cultures. At this level, the word is not just vocabulary; it is a conceptual building block for complex thought.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

desaprobar in 30 Seconds

Desaprobar means to disapprove of an action or to fail an exam in academic contexts.
It is a stem-changing verb (o -> ue) in the present tense (e.g., desapruebo).
In Latin America, it is the common word for failing, while Spain often uses 'suspender'.
It is a transitive verb, so you don't need 'de' after it like in English.

The Spanish verb desaprobar is a multi-faceted word that English speakers often encounter at the intermediate level. At its core, it signifies the act of expressing or feeling a lack of approval, but its application varies significantly depending on whether you are in a social, moral, or academic setting. In a general sense, it translates to 'to disapprove' or 'to frown upon.' For example, if a community disagrees with a new law, they might desaprobar the government's decision. However, in many Latin American countries, the word takes on a very specific academic meaning: 'to fail' a test or a course. This duality makes it a crucial addition to any learner's vocabulary, as it bridges the gap between formal critique and everyday academic life.

Social Context: Used when someone views an action as morally wrong or socially unacceptable. It conveys a judgment of character or ethics.

Muchos padres suelen desaprobar el uso excesivo de las redes sociales en los niños pequeños.

When using desaprobar in an academic sense, it is synonymous with reprobar. If a student does not meet the minimum requirements for a grade, the teacher will desaprobar the student. It is important to note that in Spain, the word suspender is more common for failing an exam, whereas in Mexico, Colombia, or Argentina, desaprobar is frequently heard in hallways and classrooms. Understanding this regional nuance is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Academic Context: Specifically used to indicate that a student has not passed an evaluation or that a project has been rejected by a committee.

El profesor tuvo que desaprobar mi ensayo porque no cumplía con las normas de citación.

The emotional weight of desaprobar can range from a mild disagreement to a formal condemnation. In political discourse, a leader might desaprobar the actions of another nation, suggesting a serious diplomatic rift. In this context, it is often followed by a direct object or a clause introduced by 'que' requiring the subjunctive mood, which adds a layer of grammatical complexity for the learner.

Formal Criticism: Common in news reports and professional reviews to indicate that a proposal or behavior is officially rejected or criticized.

La junta directiva decidió desaprobar el presupuesto propuesto para el próximo año fiscal.

Ella no pudo evitar desaprobar con la mirada la actitud grosera de su primo.

Si sigues faltando a clase, vas a terminar por desaprobar la materia de matemáticas.

Using desaprobar correctly requires attention to both its conjugation and its syntactic patterns. As a radical-changing verb (o > ue), it follows the pattern of dormir or almorzar. This means in the present tense, you say yo desapruebo, tú desapruebas, and él desaprueba. The change does not occur in the nosotros or vosotros forms (desaprobamos, desaprobáis). Mastering this shift is the first step toward fluency. Beyond conjugation, the word often appears in two main structures: followed by a noun or followed by a 'que' clause.

Direct Object Usage: When you disapprove of a thing, a person, or an action, you use it as a direct object without a preposition.

La mayoría de los ciudadanos desaprueba la gestión del alcalde actual.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is trying to add the preposition 'of' (de) after the verb. In English, we say 'I disapprove of your behavior,' but in Spanish, it is simply 'Desapruebo tu comportamiento.' There is no 'de' needed. This directness is a hallmark of Spanish transitive verbs. When you want to express disapproval of someone else's action using a verb, you must use the structure desaprobar + que + subjunctive. This is because expressing disapproval is a form of expressing an opinion or emotion regarding another's actions, which triggers the subjunctive mood in Spanish.

The Subjunctive Connection: Because desaprobar conveys an evaluation or a subjective judgment, the dependent clause must be in the subjunctive mood.

El comité podría desaprobar que se construya el edificio en esa zona protegida.

In the context of failing an exam, the verb is often used in the past tense or the future tense to describe outcomes. Unlike 'suspender' which can be intransitive in some regions (e.g., 'He suspendido'), desaprobar usually requires the student or the subject as the object of the action, or the exam as the object. For example, 'El profesor me desaprobó' (The teacher failed me) or 'Desaprobé el examen' (I failed the exam). It is a very active verb that clearly identifies who is doing the rejecting and what is being rejected.

Academic Outcomes: In academic settings, it functions as the opposite of 'aprobar' (to pass). It is used to state the failure of a student or a task.

Si no estudias con más dedicación, es muy probable que vuelvas a desaprobar.

Mi abuelo siempre solía desaprobar mis tatuajes, pero ahora ya se ha acostumbrado.

Es injusto que te vayan a desaprobar por un solo error en el proyecto final.

The word desaprobar is a staple of both formal news broadcasts and the everyday chatter of university students across Latin America. If you are watching a news program in Argentina or Chile, you will frequently hear political analysts discussing the 'nivel de desaprobación' (level of disapproval) of a president or a specific policy. In this context, the word carries a weight of public opinion and statistical measurement. It is not just a personal feeling; it is a collective rejection that can influence elections and social movements. You might hear a reporter say, 'La población desaprueba las nuevas medidas económicas,' highlighting a significant social tension.

In the Media: Used to report on approval ratings, public opinion polls, and governmental critiques.

Según las últimas encuestas, el sesenta por ciento de los votantes tiende a desaprobar la reforma.

Shift your focus to a high school or university campus in Mexico or Peru, and desaprobar becomes a word of dread. Students will use it to talk about their grades and the strictness of their professors. You might overhear a student saying, 'Me van a desaprobar si no entrego esto hoy' (They are going to fail me if I don't turn this in today). In this environment, the word is less about moral judgment and more about the binary of pass/fail. It is the word that determines whether a student moves on to the next semester or has to repeat a course. The emotional stress associated with 'desaprobar una materia' (failing a subject) is a universal student experience expressed through this specific Spanish term.

In Education: A standard term for failing a student or being failed in an academic evaluation across most of Latin America.

Es la tercera vez que intentas desaprobar a ese alumno, ¿no crees que eres demasiado estricto?

Finally, in the realm of family and social circles, desaprobar is used to describe the silent or vocal judgments of elders or peers. It often appears in literature and soap operas (telenovelas) to describe a parent's reaction to a child's choice of partner or career. 'Mi madre desaprueba mi estilo de vida' (My mother disapproves of my lifestyle) is a classic sentence that captures the essence of social friction. It implies a gap between expectations and reality, often accompanied by a sigh or a stern look. The word effectively communicates the tension of social norms being challenged.

In Family Dynamics: Expressing the disappointment or lack of support from family members regarding personal choices.

Aunque no lo dijo con palabras, sus ojos no dejaban de desaprobar mi nueva vestimenta.

No podemos desaprobar un plan que todavía no hemos analizado en profundidad.

El director amenazó con desaprobar a todo el grupo si no encontraban al culpable.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using desaprobar is the 'Preposition Trap.' In English, the verb 'to disapprove' is almost always followed by the preposition 'of.' This leads many learners to say things like 'Desapruebo de tu plan.' However, in Spanish, desaprobar is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object with no preposition in between. The correct way to say it is 'Desapruebo tu plan.' This mistake is so common because the mental translation of 'of' is very strong for native English speakers. Breaking this habit is essential for achieving a natural-sounding Spanish flow.

The 'De' Mistake: Incorrect: Desapruebo de la idea. Correct: Desapruebo la idea. Do not translate 'of' literally here.

Es un error común decir 'desaprobar de algo' cuando lo correcto es simplemente desaprobar algo.

Another significant hurdle is the stem change. Because desaprobar is an -AR verb, some learners forget that it undergoes a radical change from 'o' to 'ue' in its stressed syllables. You might hear learners say 'desaprobo' instead of 'desapruebo.' This error is particularly noticeable because the 'o' to 'ue' change is very characteristic of Spanish phonology. To avoid this, group desaprobar with other common verbs like contar (cuento) or encontrar (encuentro) in your study sessions. Practice the 'boot' shape of the conjugation to remember where the change happens and where it doesn't.

The Stem Change Failure: Failing to change 'o' to 'ue' in the present tense makes the speaker sound like a beginner. Practice: 'Yo desapruebo'.

Si dices 'yo desaprobo', la gente te entenderá, pero sabrán que todavía no dominas el verbo desaprobar.

Furthermore, learners often confuse desaprobar with reprobar or suspender. While they are often synonyms, their usage is regional. If you are in Spain and you use desaprobar to mean failing an exam, people might find it slightly formal or unusual, as they prefer suspender. Conversely, in Latin America, suspender often means to postpone or cancel something (like a meeting), so using it to mean 'to fail' might cause a slight moment of confusion. It's important to tailor your word choice to the dialect of Spanish you are speaking. Lastly, don't forget the subjunctive mood when expressing disapproval of someone else's actions. 'Desapruebo que tú fumas' is wrong; it must be 'Desapruebo que tú fumes.'

Mood Mistakes: Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive after 'desaprobar que' is a very common B1-level mistake.

Es necesario usar el subjuntivo para desaprobar una acción ajena: 'Desapruebo que lo hagas'.

Nunca digas 'yo desapruebo de esto' si quieres usar correctamente el verbo desaprobar.

No confundas el pasado 'desaprobé' con el presente 'desapruebo', ya que el cambio de raíz solo ocurre en el presente.

To truly master desaprobar, you need to know how it compares to its synonyms and when to choose one over the other. The most direct synonym in an academic context is reprobar. While desaprobar is common in South America, reprobar is the dominant term in Mexico and parts of Central America for failing a student or an exam. Both are perfectly correct, but reprobar feels slightly more specific to the educational system, whereas desaprobar retains its broader meaning of general disapproval. If you want to sound more like a Spaniard, you should opt for suspender when talking about failing an exam.

Desaprobar vs. Reprobar: Desaprobar is broader (moral and academic). Reprobar is more focused on academic failure in Mexico and Central America.

En México, es más común decir 'reprobé el examen' que decir que lo lograste desaprobar.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter censurar or condenar. Censurar implies an official or public reprimand, often involving the suppression of information or a formal statement of disapproval by an authority. Condenar is even stronger, suggesting a moral or legal judgment that carries a sense of finality and punishment. While you might desaprobar a friend's choice of shoes, you would condenar a violent crime. Choosing the right level of intensity is key to nuanced communication. Another alternative is rechazar, which means 'to reject.' This is used when a proposal or an offer is turned down, which is a form of disapproval but focuses more on the act of turning it away.

Formal Alternatives: Censurar: Official reprimand. Condenar: Strong moral judgment. Rechazar: To reject or turn down.

La comunidad internacional no tardó en condenar lo que otros solo se limitaron a desaprobar.

Finally, consider the verb criticar. While desaprobar focuses on the negative judgment itself, criticar focuses on the act of talking about the flaws. You can criticar something without necessarily desaprobar the whole thing—you might just be pointing out areas for improvement. However, in common speech, they are often linked. Knowing these subtle differences allows you to express exactly how much you dislike something and why. Whether you are failing a test or judging a social trend, the Spanish language offers a rich palette of words to express your negative stance.

Desaprobar vs. Criticar: Criticar is the act of pointing out faults. Desaprobar is the final negative judgment of the thing itself.

Puedes criticar mi trabajo para que mejore, pero no tienes por qué desaprobar todo el esfuerzo.

El comité decidió desaprobar la solicitud de crédito debido a la falta de garantías.

Muchos artistas suelen desaprobar la comercialización excesiva del arte contemporáneo.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'probar' comes from the Latin 'probus', meaning 'good' or 'honest'. So, when you 'desaprobar' something, you are literally saying it lacks goodness or honesty.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /des.a.pɾo.ˈβaɾ/

US /des.a.pɾo.ˈbaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable 'bar' because it ends in 'r'.

Rhymes With

aceptar llegar hablar cantar estudiar aprobar luchar pensar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like an English 'd'.
Rolling the final 'r' too much (it should be a simple tap).
Failing to shift the stress to the final syllable.
Pronouncing the 's' like a 'z' (keep it sharp like 'sun').
Not separating the 'a' and 'p' clearly (des-a-pro-bar).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'disapprove'.

Writing 5/5

Requires remembering the stem change and the correct use of the subjunctive.

Speaking 4/5

The 'o' to 'ue' change must be automatic to sound natural.

Listening 3/5

Clearly articulated, but 'desapruebo' might sound different to beginners.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

probar aprobar examen mal decisión

Learn Next

reprobar suspender censurar subjuntivo voto

Advanced

vituperar desautorizar impugnar anatematizar reprochar

Grammar to Know

Stem-changing verbs (o -> ue)

Yo desapruebo (not desaprobo).

Subjunctive with verbs of emotion/opinion

Desapruebo que él no estudie.

Transitive verbs without prepositions

Desapruebo la idea (not 'de' la idea).

Personal 'a' with specific people

El profesor desaprobó a Juan.

Passive 'se' for impersonal disapproval

Se desaprueba el vandalismo.

Examples by Level

No quiero desaprobar mi examen.

I don't want to fail my exam.

Infinitive form after 'querer'.

El profesor no va a desaprobar a los alumnos.

The teacher is not going to fail the students.

Future with 'ir a'.

¿Vas a desaprobar la clase?

Are you going to fail the class?

Interrogative sentence.

Es malo desaprobar.

It is bad to fail.

Impersonal expression with 'es'.

Yo no desapruebo tu idea.

I do not disapprove of your idea.

Present tense with stem change (o -> ue).

Mis padres no desaprueban mi música.

My parents don't disapprove of my music.

Third person plural present tense.

Ella teme desaprobar.

She fears failing.

Verb 'temer' followed by infinitive.

Hoy no quiero desaprobar nada.

Today I don't want to disapprove of anything.

Negative sentence with 'nada'.

Desaprobé el examen de historia ayer.

I failed the history exam yesterday.

Preterite tense (no stem change).

Mi jefe desaprueba que lleguemos tarde.

My boss disapproves of us arriving late.

Present tense with 'que' and subjunctive.

¿Por qué desapruebas mis decisiones?

Why do you disapprove of my decisions?

Second person singular with stem change.

El comité desaprobó el proyecto nuevo.

The committee disapproved the new project.

Third person singular preterite.

Nosotros nunca desaprobamos a nuestros amigos.

We never disapprove of our friends.

First person plural (no stem change in present).

Ella desaprueba el uso de plásticos.

She disapproves of the use of plastics.

Third person singular present.

Si no estudias, vas a desaprobar la materia.

If you don't study, you are going to fail the subject.

Conditional sentence with 'si'.

Ellos desaprobaron la película por ser violenta.

They disapproved of the movie for being violent.

Preterite with 'por' + infinitive.

Dudo que el profesor vaya a desaprobar a todo el grupo.

I doubt the teacher is going to fail the whole group.

Subjunctive after 'dudar'.

Es normal que tus padres desaprueben algunas de tus ideas.

It's normal for your parents to disapprove of some of your ideas.

Subjunctive after impersonal expression 'es normal que'.

Me molesta que desapruebes mi forma de vestir.

It bothers me that you disapprove of my way of dressing.

Subjunctive after 'me molesta que'.

Aunque desapruebe el plan, tendré que seguir las órdenes.

Even though I disapprove of the plan, I will have to follow orders.

Subjunctive after 'aunque' for future/uncertain action.

El gobierno desaprueba las manifestaciones violentas.

The government disapproves of violent demonstrations.

Standard transitive usage in formal context.

Si yo fuera tú, no desaprobaría esa oportunidad.

If I were you, I wouldn't disapprove of (reject) that opportunity.

Conditional mood.

Han decidido desaprobar la construcción del centro comercial.

They have decided to disapprove the construction of the shopping mall.

Present perfect tense.

Espero que no me desaprueben por mi falta de experiencia.

I hope they don't fail/reject me for my lack of experience.

Subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

La sociedad tiende a desaprobar cualquier cambio radical en las tradiciones.

Society tends to disapprove of any radical change in traditions.

Generalization with 'tender a'.

Resulta sorprendente que todavía desaprueben ese tipo de comportamientos.

It is surprising that they still disapprove of that type of behavior.

Subjunctive after 'resulta sorprendente que'.

A pesar de desaprobar la gestión, el pueblo votó por la continuidad.

Despite disapproving of the management, the people voted for continuity.

'A pesar de' followed by infinitive.

No podemos permitir que se desapruebe el proyecto sin una revisión previa.

We cannot allow the project to be disapproved without a prior review.

Passive 'se' in a subjunctive clause.

El crítico no dudó en desaprobar la última obra del autor.

The critic did not hesitate to disapprove of the author's latest work.

Verbal periphrasis 'no dudar en'.

Muchos científicos desaprueban los métodos utilizados en ese estudio.

Many scientists disapprove of the methods used in that study.

Subject-verb agreement with 'muchos'.

Habría sido mejor que no desaprobara el examen final.

It would have been better if he hadn't failed the final exam.

Past perfect subjunctive after conditional.

La empresa desaprueba que sus empleados usen el teléfono durante las reuniones.

The company disapproves of its employees using their phones during meetings.

Subjunctive with specific subject change.

La comunidad académica suele desaprobar las teorías que carecen de rigor empírico.

The academic community usually disapproves of theories that lack empirical rigor.

Formal academic register.

Es imperativo que no se desapruebe la moción sin un debate exhaustivo.

It is imperative that the motion is not disapproved without an exhaustive debate.

Impersonal 'se' with formal adjective 'imperativo'.

Su mirada gélida bastaba para desaprobar cualquier intento de broma.

Her icy stare was enough to disapprove of any attempt at a joke.

Metaphorical use of 'mirada'.

El autor parece desaprobar la hipocresía de la aristocracia en su novela.

The author seems to disapprove of the hypocrisy of the aristocracy in his novel.

Literary analysis context.

No es de extrañar que la opinión pública desapruebe tales medidas de austeridad.

It is no wonder that public opinion disapproves of such austerity measures.

Subjunctive after 'no es de extrañar que'.

Cualquier experto desaprobaría el uso de materiales de tan baja calidad.

Any expert would disapprove of the use of such low-quality materials.

Conditional for hypothetical expert opinion.

La junta directiva se vio obligada a desaprobar la fusión de las dos empresas.

The board of directors was forced to disapprove the merger of the two companies.

Passive construction 'se vio obligada a'.

Quienquiera que desapruebe esta ley, debe presentar una alternativa viable.

Whoever disapproves of this law must present a viable alternative.

Relative clause with 'quienquiera que' + subjunctive.

La historia se encargará de desaprobar las acciones de quienes hoy ostentan el poder.

History will take care of disapproving of the actions of those who hold power today.

Future tense with personification of 'la historia'.

Resulta palmario que el consistorio pretende desaprobar la iniciativa ciudadana.

It is evident that the city council intends to disapprove of the citizen initiative.

Use of high-level vocabulary like 'palmario' and 'consistorio'.

No cabe sino desaprobar la ligereza con la que se han tratado estos asuntos de Estado.

One can only disapprove of the lightness with which these State matters have been treated.

Fixed expression 'no cabe sino' (there is no choice but to).

El filósofo desaprueba la noción de que el fin justifica los medios.

The philosopher disapproves of the notion that the end justifies the means.

Abstract philosophical context.

Sería una temeridad desaprobar el informe técnico sin haberlo leído íntegramente.

It would be a recklessness to disapprove the technical report without having read it entirely.

Conditional mood with 'sería una temeridad'.

La crítica literaria no ha cesado de desaprobar el giro comercial del novelista.

Literary criticism has not ceased to disapprove of the novelist's commercial turn.

Perfect tense with 'no cesar de'.

Pese a que el clero pudiera desaprobarlo, la reforma siguió su curso natural.

Despite the fact that the clergy might disapprove of it, the reform followed its natural course.

Concessive clause with 'pese a que' + subjunctive.

Es una falacia creer que el pueblo desaprueba todo lo que desconoce.

It is a fallacy to believe that the people disapprove of everything they are ignorant of.

Logical argumentation context.

Common Collocations

desaprobar rotundamente

desaprobar un examen

desaprobar la conducta

desaprobar una ley

desaprobar con la mirada

desaprobar un presupuesto

desaprobar por unanimidad

desaprobar una materia

desaprobar el uso de

desaprobar enérgicamente

Common Phrases

No desapruebo pero tampoco apoyo.

— A way to express neutrality or a lack of strong opinion either way.

Sobre ese tema, no desapruebo pero tampoco apoyo totalmente.

Me desaprobaron por un punto.

— Used when a student fails an exam by a very small margin.

¡Qué mala suerte! Me desaprobaron por un punto en química.

Desaprobar de plano.

— To reject or disapprove of something completely and immediately.

El director desaprobó de plano mi sugerencia de cambiar el horario.

Tener miedo a desaprobar.

— To be anxious about failing an evaluation or being judged negatively.

Muchos jóvenes tienen miedo a desaprobar ante sus padres.

Desaprobar en silencio.

— To hold a negative opinion without expressing it out loud.

A veces es mejor desaprobar en silencio que causar un conflicto.

Desaprobar por falta de méritos.

— To reject something because it doesn't meet the necessary quality or effort.

El jurado desaprobó la obra por falta de méritos artísticos.

Desaprobar por sistema.

— To disapprove of everything as a habit or rule, regardless of quality.

Parece que desapruebas mis ideas por sistema, sin siquiera escucharlas.

Volver a desaprobar.

— To fail something for a second or subsequent time.

Si no cambias tu método, vas a volver a desaprobar.

Desaprobar la gestión.

— To criticize the way a leader or organization is running things.

Los accionistas desaprueban la gestión del actual gerente.

Hacer desaprobar a alguien.

— To cause someone else to fail, perhaps by being a hard grader or through sabotage.

Ese profesor parece que disfruta haciendo desaprobar a los alumnos.

Often Confused With

desaprobar vs reprobar

Reprobar is more specifically for failing an exam in Mexico/Central America.

desaprobar vs suspender

Suspender is the word for failing in Spain, but means 'postpone' in LatAm.

desaprobar vs desautorizar

Desautorizar means to take away someone's power or authority, not just their approval.

Idioms & Expressions

"Mirar con ojos de desaprobación"

— To look at someone in a way that clearly shows you don't like what they are doing.

Mi abuela me miró con ojos de desaprobación cuando vio mi tatuaje.

informal

"Poner el grito en el cielo"

— To complain loudly and strongly about something one disapproves of.

Mis padres pusieron el grito en el cielo cuando desaprobé tres materias.

informal

"No ver con buenos ojos"

— To not look favorably upon something; to disapprove.

La empresa no ve con buenos ojos que los empleados lleguen tarde.

neutral

"Hacer ascos a algo"

— To show disdain or disapproval for something, often physically.

No le hagas ascos a la comida, que está muy rica.

informal

"Dar la espalda a algo"

— To reject or show disapproval by ignoring or refusing to support something.

El público le dio la espalda a la nueva película del director.

neutral

"Cantarle las cuarenta a alguien"

— To scold someone for something you disapprove of.

Le voy a cantar las cuarenta por haberme mentido.

informal

"Estar de uñas"

— To be in a hostile or disapproving mood toward someone or something.

El jefe está de uñas con el departamento de ventas.

informal

"Bajar el pulgar"

— To give a definitive 'no' or disapproval to a proposal (like a gladiator arena).

El jefe le bajó el pulgar a mi idea de las vacaciones.

neutral

"Tirar de las orejas"

— To give a mild reprimand or show disapproval for a small mistake.

El profesor le tiró de las orejas por no traer los deberes.

informal

"Poner trabas"

— To put obstacles in the way because one disapproves of a project or action.

La burocracia no deja de poner trabas a mi negocio.

neutral

Easily Confused

desaprobar vs desaprobar

Looks like 'disapprove' but has extra academic meanings.

In Spanish, it specifically means failing a grade, which 'disapprove' does not usually mean in English.

Desaprobé matemáticas (I failed math).

desaprobar vs reprobar

Often used as a synonym.

Reprobar is more common in Mexico; desaprobar is more common in South America for grades.

En México se dice 'reprobar'.

desaprobar vs suspender

Regional differences.

In Spain, 'suspender' is for tests. In LatAm, 'suspender' is for events or meetings.

Suspendieron la reunión (They postponed the meeting).

desaprobar vs criticar

Both involve negative feedback.

Criticar is the act of analyzing; desaprobar is the act of rejecting or failing.

Me criticó pero no me desaprobó.

desaprobar vs rechazar

Both mean saying no.

Rechazar is to turn down an offer; desaprobar is to have a bad opinion of it.

Rechazó mi regalo.

Sentence Patterns

Sujeto + desaprobar + sustantivo

Juan desaprueba la película.

Sujeto + desaprobar + que + subjuntivo

Mi madre desaprueba que yo salga tarde.

Sujeto + haber + desaprobado + sustantivo

Ellos han desaprobado el proyecto.

Si + pluscuamperfecto subjuntivo + condicional compuesto

Si hubiera estudiado, no habría desaprobado.

Se + desaprobar + sustantivo (pasiva refleja)

Se desaprueba el comportamiento violento.

Sustantivo + de + desaprobación

Lanzó una mirada de desaprobación.

No cabe sino + desaprobar

No cabe sino desaprobar esta injusticia.

Pese a que + subjuntivo + desaprobar

Pese a que lo desapruebe, lo haré.

Word Family

Nouns

desaprobación (disapproval)

desaprobado (failed person/thing)

Verbs

aprobar (to approve/pass)

reprobar (to fail/disapprove)

Adjectives

desaprobatorio (disapproving)

desaprobado (failed/disapproved)

aprobación

probatorio

comprobar

probabilidad

prueba

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in academic and news contexts; medium frequency in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Desaprobo el examen. → Desapruebo el examen.
Forgot the stem change from 'o' to 'ue' in the present tense.
Desapruebo de tu actitud. → Desapruebo tu actitud.
Added the preposition 'de' by translating literally from English 'disapprove of'.
Desapruebo que tú hablas así. → Desapruebo que tú hables así.
Used the indicative instead of the subjunctive after 'desaprobar que'.
Él desaprobue el examen. → Él desaprobó el examen.
Applied the stem change to the preterite (past tense), where it doesn't belong.
Me desaprobaron de la clase. → Me desaprobaron en la clase.
Used 'de' instead of 'en' to describe failing within a specific class context.

Tips

Stem Change

Don't forget the 'o' to 'ue' change in the present tense. It's 'desapruebo', not 'desaprobo'. This is a common giveaway that someone is a beginner.

Spain vs. LatAm

Use 'suspender' for failing exams in Spain and 'desaprobar' or 'reprobar' in Latin America. Using the wrong one won't stop you from being understood, but it sounds less native.

No Preposition

Never use 'de' after desaprobar. Just say 'Desapruebo eso'. This is the #1 mistake English speakers make because of the English 'disapprove of'.

Subjunctive Trigger

Expressions of disapproval trigger the subjunctive. 'Desapruebo que...' must be followed by a subjunctive verb form.

Noun Form

Learn 'desaprobación' along with the verb. It's often used in news about 'approval ratings' (índices de aprobación/desaprobación).

Stress the End

In the infinitive 'desaprobar', the stress is on the very last syllable. Make sure you don't stress the 'pro' part.

Academic Use

In school, 'desaprobado' is often written in red at the top of a paper. It is the official status of a failed assignment.

Formal Writing

In formal letters, 'desaprobar' is a great way to express disagreement without being rude. It sounds professional and clear.

Vs. Criticar

Remember that 'desaprobar' is the final judgment, while 'criticar' is the process of finding faults. You can do one without the other.

Daily Practice

Try to identify one thing you 'desapruebas' every day and say it out loud in Spanish to practice the conjugation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DES-A-PRO-BAR'. 'DES' means 'un-', 'PRO' means 'pro/for'. So it's like 'un-pro-ing' something—taking away your support for it.

Visual Association

Imagine a teacher with a giant red stamp that says 'DESAPROBADO' slamming it down on a paper with a sad face.

Word Web

Aprobar Examen Conducta Rechazo Nota Profesor Padres Crítica

Challenge

Try to write three sentences: one about a school test, one about a political law, and one about a friend's behavior using 'desaprobar'.

Word Origin

From the Latin prefix 'dis-' (expressing reversal or negation) and the verb 'approbare' (to approve, to find good).

Original meaning: To formally find something not good or to reject it.

Romance (Latin root)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it to fail a student; in some contexts, 'reprobar' might be the more common local term.

English speakers often use 'fail' for exams and 'disapprove' for morals. Spanish uses 'desaprobar' for both in many regions.

Commonly used in Latin American news headlines regarding presidential approval ratings. Appears in academic transcripts (boletas de calificaciones) across the continent. A frequent theme in 'novelas' where a patriarch disapproves of a romance.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School/University

Desaprobar una materia
Me van a desaprobar
Nota de desaprobado
Desaprobar el final

Politics

Desaprobar la gestión
Nivel de desaprobación
Desaprobar una ley
La opinión pública desaprueba

Family/Social

Mis padres desaprueban
Desaprobar con la mirada
Desaprobar un noviazgo
No desapruebes mis sueños

Business

Desaprobar el presupuesto
Desaprobar un proyecto
La junta desaprueba
Desaprobar una solicitud

Ethics/Morality

Desaprobar la violencia
Desaprobar la mentira
Acción desaprobada
Desaprobar socialmente

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez has desaprobado un examen importante?"

"¿Qué comportamientos sueles desaprobar en la gente?"

"¿Crees que los padres desaprueban demasiado a los jóvenes de hoy?"

"¿Qué harías si el gobierno desaprobara tu proyecto favorito?"

"¿Es común desaprobar materias en tu universidad?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre una vez que desaprobaste un examen y cómo te sentiste.

Describe una acción que desapruebas rotundamente y explica por qué.

¿Cómo reaccionas cuando alguien desaprueba tus decisiones personales?

Analiza por qué la sociedad tiende a desaprobar lo que es diferente.

Imagina que eres profesor: ¿qué criterios usarías para desaprobar a un alumno?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Es un verbo de cambio de raíz (o -> ue). Las formas son: yo desapruebo, tú desapruebas, él/ella desaprueba, nosotros desaprobamos, vosotros desaprobáis, ellos/ellas desaprueban. Recuerda que el cambio no ocurre en 'nosotros' y 'vosotros'.

No, es un error común. En español, 'desaprobar' es un verbo transitivo directo. Debes decir 'desaprobar algo', por ejemplo: 'Desapruebo tu conducta', no 'Desapruebo de tu conducta'.

Ambos significan lo mismo en contextos académicos (failing an exam). 'Reprobar' es el término estándar en México y Centroamérica, mientras que 'desaprobar' es más frecuente en países de Sudamérica como Argentina o Chile.

Se usa cuando expresas tu desaprobación sobre la acción de otra persona: 'Desapruebo que tú [vayas] a esa fiesta'. La estructura es 'desaprobar que' + sujeto diferente + verbo en subjuntivo.

Sí, pero principalmente con el sentido de 'no estar de acuerdo' o 'censurar'. Para referirse a fallar un examen, los españoles prefieren casi exclusivamente el verbo 'suspender'.

Tiene un tono neutral a formal. En una conversación muy informal, podrías usar expresiones como 'no me gusta' o 'me parece fatal', pero 'desaprobar' es perfectamente aceptable en cualquier contexto.

El sustantivo es 'desaprobación'. Se usa para hablar del sentimiento o la acción de no aprobar algo, como en 'su desaprobación era evidente'.

Sí, es muy común en contextos empresariales o gubernamentales. 'La junta decidió desaprobar el nuevo plan de marketing' significa que el plan fue rechazado.

En Argentina dirías 'Desaprobé el examen'. También podrías oír el término informal 'bochar' (Me bocharon).

No, el cambio de raíz (o -> ue) solo ocurre en el presente de indicativo, presente de subjuntivo y en el imperativo. En el pretérito se dice 'yo desaprobé', manteniendo la 'o'.