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sostenere

to support

verb soh-steh-NEH-reh Common
People & Society Values

Origin: Latin sustinere (to hold up)

Also means

to sustain

Usage Note

Sostenere is an irregular compound of tenere and shares its conjugation: sostengo, sostieni, sostiene…; past participle sostenuto. It takes avere. Beyond 'to support,' it means 'to maintain/argue' a position (sostenere una tesi = to defend a thesis) and 'to sustain' physically (sostenere un peso = to bear a weight).

Examples

"Sostengo la tua decisione completamente."

Natural Translation

I fully support your decision.

Literal Translation

I-support the your decision completely

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