asentir
verbCEFR B1
What does “asentir” mean in English?
to nod in agreement, to assent
to nod in agreement, to assent (physical: asentir con la cabeza; broader: to agree/assent to a proposal)
Example sentences
Cuando el director explicó el nuevo plan, la mayoría de los empleados asintió con la cabeza sin decir nada, aunque luego en los pasillos había muchas dudas.
When the director explained the new plan, most employees nodded without saying anything, even though afterwards in the corridors there were many doubts.
No hace falta que digas nada; con que asientas cuando entiendes algo y niegues con la cabeza cuando no, podemos seguir adelante.
You don't have to say anything; as long as you nod when you understand something and shake your head when you don't, we can carry on.
Después de leer el contrato, asintió despacio, como si estuviera seguro de que todo era correcto.
After reading the contract, she nodded slowly, as if she were certain that everything was correct.
How to use it
Asentir means 'to nod in agreement' or more broadly 'to assent' / 'to agree'. It is a stem-changing verb (e → ie): asiento, asientes, asiente, asentimos, asentís, asienten. The collocation asentir con la cabeza (to nod one's head in agreement) is the standard way to express nodding as a physical gesture. Asentir can also be used more abstractly to mean 'to assent to a proposal'. It contrasts with negar con la cabeza (shake one's head) and with other agreement verbs: estar de acuerdo (state agreement verbally).
Common mistake
Asentir is a formal/neutral verb. In everyday speech, Spaniards more often say asentir con la cabeza or simply describe the gesture. Do not confuse with sentir (to feel) — the prefix a- is load-bearing. The stem change e → ie mirrors verbs like sentir: asiento not *asiento/asentio.