abrigar
/abɾiˈɡaɾ/
The English verb 'cherish' can be translated into Spanish as abrigar. Wiktionary also lists mantener.
Meaning: to have a deep appreciation of (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| abrigar | /abɾiˈɡaɾ/ |
| mantener | /manteˈneɾ/ |
The translation depends on what is being cherished. You might use abrigar for abstract concepts, mantener when the sense is to keep something alive or atesorar for a more natural way to describe treasuring something precious like a person or a memory. The verb Apreciar can also be used to mean both 'to appreciate' or 'to cherish'.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb abrigar literally means to provide warmth or shelter. This is why it is used metaphorically to mean 'to cherish' a thought or feeling in one's heart.
Which one should you use?
Use abrigar in a figurative sense when the object being cherished is an abstract concept like a hope, a dream or a feeling. Use mantener when the sense of cherishing implies keeping a memory, a tradition or a standard alive.
How do you pronounce it?
/abɾiˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word abrigar is related to the concept of 'weaving' or 'twisting' things together, according to its deepest Proto-Indo-European roots.
- The verb mantener shares the same Latin root as the English word 'maintain'.
Examples in context
- Aprecio mucho tu amistad.I cherish your friendship.
- Valoramos mucho su apoyo.We cherish your support.
- Cuido y protejo mi relación con él.I cherish and protect my relationship with him.
- Llevo a mi abuela en el corazón.I cherish my grandmother.
- Tengo mucho aprecio por ti.I cherish you a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cherish” translations and entries abrigar, mantener, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abrigar, mantener, CC BY-SA 4.0.
