adoptar
verbCEFR B2
What does “adoptar” mean in English?
1.to adopt, to take on
to adopt, to take on (a policy, measure, approach, or stance — adoptar + noun)
2.to adopt, to embrace
to adopt, to embrace (a position, approach, or stance — abstract noun collocations: postura, actitud, enfoque)
Example sentences
El Parlamento Europeo adoptó una resolución que insta a los estados miembros a reducir las emisiones de carbono.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution urging member states to reduce carbon emissions.
Es necesario adoptar medidas urgentes antes de que el problema se convierta en una crisis de proporciones mayores.
It is necessary to adopt urgent measures before the problem becomes a crisis of greater proportions.
En situaciones de incertidumbre, muchas personas tienden a adoptar posturas más conservadoras de lo habitual.
In times of uncertainty, many people tend to adopt more conservative positions than usual.
How to use it
Adoptar means 'to adopt' in three main senses at B2: (1) to adopt an approach, policy, or measure (adoptar un enfoque, adoptar medidas); (2) to adopt a child; (3) to take on a role or attitude (adoptar una postura). In formal and academic register, sense 1 is most frequent. The collocation adoptar medidas (take/adopt measures) is a key B2 set phrase. Avoid confusing adoptar with adaptarse — adoptar is about choosing/taking on something deliberately, while adaptarse is about adjusting to something external.
Common mistake
Adoptar medidas is the standard formal phrase for 'take measures' or 'adopt measures' in Spanish. English speakers sometimes translate 'take measures' as *tomar medidas exclusively, but adoptar medidas is equally standard and more formal. Also: 'adoptar una postura' is not the same as 'adoptar una actitud' — postura implies a stated, explicit stance on an issue, while actitud is more about general behaviour or disposition.