aguantar
/aɡwanˈtaɾ/
The English phrase 'cowboy up' can be expressed in Spanish using aguantar.
While 'cowboy up' is an idiomatic English expression, aguantar is a standard, versatile verb used to express the same sentiment of resilience.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the informal phrase No te achicopales means something along the lines of "Don't back down" or "Don't chicken out".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb aguantar is an intransitive verb when used to mean 'to endure' or 'to hold on' in a general sense of toughness. The gerund form aguantando is used to describe the continuous action of enduring a difficult situation. For specific conjugations, aguanté is the first-person singular preterite form and aguantas is the second-person singular present indicative form.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡwanˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb aguantar traces back to an Italian root, agguantare, which originally meant 'to seize' or 'to snatch' something with one's hands.
- While aguantar means 'to endure', it is also the common word used when asking someone to 'wait' a moment, as in aguanta un segundo.
- If you want to sound like a local when telling someone to be tough, you might use the slang aguantar el tirón, which translates literally to 'enduring the pull'.
Examples in context
- Siente miedo, pero no te achicopales, demuéstrales de qué estás hecho.Feel fear, but don't back down, show them what you're made of.
- ¡Aguanta un poco más!Hold on a little longer!
Example conversation
Lucía is encouraging Javier during a difficult workout.
- LucíaYa casi terminamos, Javier.We are almost finished, Javier.
- JavierNo puedo más, me rindo.I can't do any more, I give up.
- Lucía¡No te rindas, tienes que aguantar!Don't give up, you have to cowboy up!
- JavierEstá bien, lo intentaré.Alright, I'll try.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aguantar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aguantar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
