Spanish word

aprobar

Pronunciation

IPA/apɾoˈβaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbpass

Example

¿Vas a aprobar el examen mañana?

Are you going to pass the exam tomorrow?

Illustration for aprobar (pass)

More examples

El Congreso va a aprobar la nueva ley esta semana.

The Congress is going to pass the new law this week.

Core concept

A green check mark beside an exam score above the passing line.

Common phrases

  • aprobar un examen

    pass an exam

  • aprobar una asignatura

    pass a subject

Similar words

pasar: Passes an exam in informal, everyday contexts.
suspender: Does not meet exam requirements and fails.
superar: Clears a hard exam hurdle to achieve success.
obtener: Receives a particular score or earns a qualification.

Definition in Spanish

Alcanzar la calificación necesaria en un examen o dar aprobación formal a algo para que sea aceptado.

Word origin

From Latin approbare (ad 'to' + probare 'to test, prove'), originally 'prove good', later 'declare that something meets a required standard or receives formal approval'.

Usage tips

  • Colloquially, speakers often use pasar for getting a passing grade, while aprobar covers official results, ratification, and judging a candidate acceptable (aprobar a alguien).

Other meanings

  • approveverb
  • pass someoneverb
  • ratifyverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word