To take possession of something through deception or without lawful permission.
Examples
Alguien apañó mi cartera en el autobús.
Someone stole my wallet on the bus.
El estafador apañó el dinero con engaños.
The swindler obtained the money by deception.
Intentaron apañar mercancía del almacén.
They tried to steal goods from the warehouse.
Le apañaron el reloj mientras dormía.
They took his watch while he slept.
La policía buscaba a quien había apañado las joyas.
The police sought whoever had stolen the jewels.
Similar words
robar
hurtar
sisar
birlar
afanar
apoderarse
Arrange something underhandedly
verb
schemes
informal
To settle or manipulate a matter discreetly for convenience, sometimes by dishonest or fraudulent means.
Examples
Apañaron el concurso para que ganara su amigo.
They rigged the contest so their friend would win.
El jefe apañó el trámite por conveniencia.
The boss fixed the paperwork for convenience.
No intentes apañar las cuentas a escondidas.
Do not try to falsify the accounts in secret.
Dicen que apañaron el resultado de la votación.
They say the voting result was rigged.
Todo quedó apañado mediante favores.
Everything was arranged underhandedly through favours.
Similar words
amañar
arreglar
falsear
manipular
trampear
urdir
Wrap up warmly
verb
clothing
informal
To cover or wrap someone in warm clothing or bedding.
Examples
Apaña bien al bebé, que hace frío.
Wrap the baby up well because it is cold.
La enfermera lo apañó con otra manta.
The nurse covered him with another blanket.
Salió apañado con bufanda y gorro.
He went out wrapped up in a scarf and hat.
Voy a apañarte antes de abrir la ventana.
I will bundle you up before opening the window.
Los excursionistas se apañaron con ropa térmica.
The hikers wrapped themselves up in thermal clothing.
Similar words
abrigar
arropar
cubrir
envolver
tapar
resguardar
Shield someone from consequences
verb
crime
informal
In much of Latin America, to conceal or protect a person who committed a crime or blameworthy act so that they avoid punishment.
Examples
No apañes a quien cometió el delito.
Do not cover for someone who committed the crime.
La familia lo apañó para evitar el castigo.
The family shielded him from punishment.
El funcionario fue acusado de apañar al culpable.
The official was accused of protecting the culprit.
Nadie quiso apañar su conducta violenta.
Nobody wanted to cover up his violent conduct.
En Perú, dijeron que la empresa apañaba a los responsables.
In Peru, they said the company shielded those responsible.
Similar words
encubrir
ocultar
proteger
amparar
tapar
favorecer
Support or accompany
verb
social support
informal
In Chile, to accompany someone or give them personal support.
Examples
Sus amigos la apañaron durante el tratamiento.
Her friends supported her during treatment.
En Chile, siempre apaña a su compañero.
In Chile, he always backs up his colleague.
Gracias por apañarme en este momento difícil.
Thank you for supporting me at this difficult time.
El equipo apañó al jugador lesionado.
The team supported the injured player.
Voy contigo para apañarte en la reunión.
I am going with you to back you up at the meeting.
Similar words
acompañar
apoyar
respaldar
ayudar
secundar
asistir
Arrest or detain
verb
law enforcement
informal
In Mexico, for the police or another authority to catch and detain a person.
Examples
La policía apañó al sospechoso en la frontera.
The police arrested the suspect at the border.
En México, lo apañaron al salir del banco.
In Mexico, they nabbed him as he left the bank.
La autoridad intentó apañar al fugitivo.
The authorities tried to capture the fugitive.
Los agentes apañaron a tres personas.
The officers detained three people.
Si lo encuentran, lo van a apañar.
If they find him, they will arrest him.
Similar words
detener
aprehender
arrestar
capturar
agarrar
prender
Listen in on a conversation
verb
communication
informal
In Panama, to pay attention secretly to a conversation one is not taking part in so as to learn what is being said.
Examples
Deja de apañar nuestra conversación.
Stop listening in on our conversation.
En Panamá, estaba apañando detrás de la puerta.
In Panama, he was eavesdropping behind the door.
Se acercó para apañar lo que decían.
She moved closer to listen in on what they were saying.
Nadie notó que ella apañaba la charla.
Nobody noticed that she was eavesdropping on the chat.
No apañes asuntos privados.
Do not listen in on private matters.
Similar words
escuchar
fisgar
espiar
husmear
curiosear
acechar
Fight each other
verb
conflict
informal
In Costa Rica, for two people or animals, especially dogs, to exchange blows or fight.
Examples
Los perros se apañaron en medio de la calle.
The dogs started fighting in the middle of the street.
En Costa Rica, los dos rivales se apañaron a golpes.
In Costa Rica, the two rivals fought each other.
Tuvieron que separar a los gallos que se apañaban.
They had to separate the roosters that were fighting.
Los hermanos se apañaron por una tontería.
The brothers came to blows over something silly.
Evita que esos animales se apañen otra vez.
Stop those animals from fighting again.
Similar words
pelearse
golpearse
reñir
agarrarse
enfrentarse
combatir
Manage or make do
verb
practical skills
informal
Used pronominally, to apply practical skill to a task or manage successfully with the means available.
Examples
Me apaño bien con pocas herramientas.
I manage well with few tools.
¿Te apañas para llegar solo?
Can you manage to get there alone?
Nos apañaremos con lo que queda.
We will make do with what is left.
Ella sabe apañárselas en cualquier situación.
She knows how to manage in any situation.
Sin coche, se apaña tomando el autobús.
Without a car, he gets by by taking the bus.
Similar words
arreglárselas
componérselas
desenvolverse
manejarse
ingeniárselas
valerse
Etymology
From Spanish paño, meaning cloth, with an early association with arranging or working with cloth and later extensions to practical handling and fixing.
FAQ
What does apañar usually mean?
In everyday use, especially in Spain, apañar often means to fix something practically or temporarily. Used pronominally, it means to manage or make do.
What is the difference between apañar and arreglar?
Both can mean to fix. Apañar often suggests an improvised or merely workable solution, while arreglar is broader and can imply a more complete repair.
What does apañarse mean?
Apañarse means to use practical skill to manage a task or situation with the resources available.
Is apañar used throughout the Spanish-speaking world?
The repair and self-management uses are especially familiar in Spain. Latin America also has regional senses including protecting a wrongdoer, arresting, catching, supporting, eavesdropping, and fighting.
Is apañar a regular verb?
Yes. It follows the regular -ar pattern, with forms such as apaño, apañé, and apañado.
Where does apañar come from?
It comes from paño, meaning cloth. Its meanings expanded from arranging and handling to fixing, managing, and several regional actions.
Comments & contributions
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