sobrelleva
/sobɾeʝeba/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for 'copes' is sobrelleva.
sobrelleva is used to describe managing a difficult situation or emotion in a way that allows one to keep going. It is frequently used when discussing how someone manages emotional or physical pain, such as in the phrase sobrellevar el dolor (to cope with the pain).
What does it mean word for word?
The word contains the prefix sobre-, which means 'over' or 'above'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of the verb is sobrellevar. The first-person singular present indicative form is sobrellevo (I cope), and the second-person singular present subjunctive form is sobrelleves (you cope).
How do you pronounce it?
/sobɾeʝeba/
Did you know?
- Spanish uses the word resignación to describe the specific psychological state of accepting an inevitable hardship. This state of resignation is often viewed as the mental foundation required to sobrellevar a tragedy.
- While an English speaker might say they are 'coping with' a problem, a Spanish speaker might say they are lidiando con it, which suggests they are actively 'wrestling' or 'dealing' with the issue as if it were a living opponent.
- While sobrellevar focuses on enduring, Spanish speakers use hacer frente to describe actively confronting a problem. This literal 'making front' suggests a more aggressive or proactive approach to coping.
Examples in context
- Ella sobrelleva el estrés de su trabajo.She copes with the stress of her job.
- Él sobrelleva la pérdida de su mascota.He copes with the loss of his pet.
- Mi madre sobrelleva muy bien la soledad.My mother copes very well with loneliness.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about a friend's difficult job.
- DanielJuan tiene mucho trabajo este mes.Juan has a lot of work this month.
- LucíaSí, pero él sobrelleva la presión muy bien.Yes, but he copes with the pressure very well.
- Daniel¿Cómo lo hace sin estresarse?How does he do it without getting stressed?
- LucíaHace ejercicio todas las mañanas.He exercises every morning.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
