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apt and Spanish apto
In English
apt
likely to / well-chosen
In Spanish
apto
capaz, adecuado
Spanish "apto" means: suitable / fit
Why they get mixed up "Apt" and Spanish "apto" share the Latin root "aptus." Spanish "apto" is used to say someone is qualified or suitable for something. English "apt" also expresses a tendency or likelihood to do something frequently.
If you want to say...
- apt (likely to)propenso a o suele
- apt (fitting)acertado o apropiado
- suitableapto
Examples
He's apt to forget things.
Es propenso a olvidar cosas.
That's an apt description.
Esa es una descripción muy acertada.
She is apt to lose her temper when tired.
Ella suele perder los estribos cuando está cansada.
It was an apt comparison.
Fue una comparación acertada.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Es apto olvidar las llaves.
Correct: Suele olvidar las llaves.
Apto means suitable or fit. It does not mean likely to do something.
Incorrect: Esa respuesta fue apta.
Correct: Esa respuesta fue acertada.
Apto is not used for "apt" as in fitting or clever.
Phrases you will hear
- apt to forgetpropenso a olvidar
- an apt descriptionuna descripción acertada
- an apt nameun nombre apropiado
- apt to changepropenso a cambiar
- an aptitude testuna prueba de aptitud
- suitable for childrenapto para niños
In a conversation
- A:
Is this movie suitable for children?
¿Esta película es apta para niños?
- B:
Yes, but the ending is apt to make them cry.
Sí, pero el final suele hacerlos llorar.
- A:
That's an apt warning. Thanks.
Es una advertencia acertada. Gracias.
- B:
You're welcome.
De nada.
Test yourself
"She's apt to be late" means she...
To remember it
Apt = likely to/well-chosen. Qualified/suitable (Spanish "apto") = suitable/fit.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "apto" mean?
Spanish "apto" means "suitable / fit". It looks like the English "apt", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "apt" means "likely to / well-chosen".
Does English "apt" mean the same as Spanish "apto"?
"Apt" and Spanish "apto" share the Latin root "aptus." Spanish "apto" is used to say someone is qualified or suitable for something. English "apt" also expresses a tendency or likelihood to do something frequently.