“Abide” is a verb, often used in negative contexts. It is similar to “aguantar” or soportar”. Here are examples:
- I cannot abide him (no lo aguanto).
- I cannot abide the weather in England.
- Mr. Corbyn cannot abide champagne (le da asco el champán).
Abide has another meaning: to dwell or live (permanecer o morar). For example:
- Where do you live (or where do you dwell)? “I abide in the north of Tenerife”.
- Where does Mr. Morales live? He abides in Puerto de la Cruz.
It is also used with the preposition “by”. For example, “you have to abide by the rules” means that you have to comply with the rules (atenerse a) or abide by a promise (cumplir con).
One can also “abide by a decision”. The British government has to abide by the Brexit decision in the referendum, meaning that it has to respect (respetar, o atenerse a) the result.
Last, there is a phrase that uses abide plus the preposition “in”, and it is found in John 15.4 (La Biblia, Juan 15.4): “whoever abides in me”. Here the meaning is “permanecer en mi”.
