aportar
/apoɾˈtaɾ/
The Spanish verb aportar means to contribute, to bring or to provide.
aportar is used when you want to express the act of contributing something, bringing something to a situation or providing something useful.
Which one should you use?
While aportar is a standard way to express these ideas, you may choose different words depending on the level of formality. For a more formal tone, you can use contribuir to mean 'to contribute' or brindar to mean 'to provide'. In informal settings, if you want to say someone is helping out or doing their part, you might use the idiomatic expressions echar una mano or poner de tu parte.
How does it change in a sentence?
aportar is a regular -ar verb. If you need to refer to the act itself as a noun, use aportación, which means 'contribution'.
How do you pronounce it?
/apoɾˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb brindar is a more elegant alternative to aportar when you want to 'provide' something, such as 'brindar apoyo' (to provide support).
- The word aportar shares its DNA with the English word 'port', as both trace back to the Latin root portāre, meaning 'to carry'.
- In Spanish business and legal contexts, aportar is the specific term used for contributing capital to a company's startup funds.
Examples in context
- Es importante que cada miembro aporte sus ideas y conocimientos durante el proyecto de investigación.It is important that each member contributes their ideas and knowledge during the research project.
- ¿Puedes aportar algo más a la discusión? Todavía faltan ideas.Can you add something else to the discussion? We still need more ideas.
- Carlos aportó una perspectiva fresca al debate sobre el cambio climático.Carlos brought a fresh perspective to the debate on climate change.
- Mi abuela siempre aportaba su sabiduría y experiencia en las reuniones familiares.My grandmother always brought her wisdom and experience to family gatherings.
- Creo que puedes aportar mucho más a este equipo si te enfocas en tus fortalezas.I believe you can contribute much more to this team if you focus on your strengths.
- La empresa está buscando inversionistas dispuestos a aportar al desarrollo del proyecto.The company is seeking investors willing to contribute to the project's development.
- Ella aportó datos valiosos para la investigación.She contributed valuable data to the research.
- Debes aportar nuevas ideas al equipo.You must contribute new ideas to the team.
- Ella quiere aportar su experiencia al proyecto.She wants to contribute her experience to the project.
- ¿Qué puedes aportar tú a esta discusión?What can you contribute to this discussion?
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing a new work assignment.
- SofíaJavier, ¿qué puedes aportar tú al grupo?Javier, what can you contribute to the group?
- JavierPuedo aportar mis conocimientos de diseño.I can contribute my design knowledge.
- SofíaEso es perfecto para aportar valor.That is perfect to provide value.
- JavierEstoy listo para empezar a aportar.I am ready to start contributing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aportar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aportar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
