Inklingo
← Dictionary

arranque

ah-RRAHN-keh/aˈraŋke/

start, ignition

Also: kickoff, starter
NounmA2
A hand turning a silver key in a car's ignition to start the engine.

📝 In Action

El motor de arranque del coche hace un ruido extraño.

A2

The car's starter motor is making a strange noise.

El arranque del proyecto fue un gran éxito.

B1

The project's kickoff was a big success.

Necesitamos un buen arranque para ganar la carrera.

A2

We need a good start to win the race.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • motor de arranque – starter motor
  • punto de arranque – starting point

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener arranque – to have drive, initiative, or energy

outburst, fit

Also: sudden impulse
NounmB2
A person throwing their arms up in a sudden burst of joyful laughter with colorful confetti around them.

📝 In Action

En un arranque de ira, rompió el contrato.

B2

In a fit of rage, he tore up the contract.

Fue un arranque de generosidad inesperado.

C1

It was an unexpected outburst of generosity.

No le hagas caso, es solo un arranque de locura.

B2

Don't mind him, it's just a sudden moment of madness.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • arrebato (outburst)
  • impulso (impulse)

Common Collocations

  • arranque de ira – fit of rage
  • arranque de sinceridad – burst of honesty

start / pull out

VerbB1irregular (spelling change) ar
A hand pulling a large green weed out of the brown soil in a garden.
gerundarrancando
past Participlearrancado
infinitivearrancar

📝 In Action

Espero que el coche arranque pronto.

B1

I hope the car starts soon.

No quiere que yo arranque las malas hierbas.

B1

He doesn't want me to pull out the weeds.

¡Arranque el motor ahora!

B1

Start the engine now! (Formal command)

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesarrancaran
yoarrancara
túarrancaras
vosotrosarrancarais
nosotrosarrancáramos
él/ella/ustedarrancara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesarranquen
yoarranque
túarranques
vosotrosarranquéis
nosotrosarranquemos
él/ella/ustedarranque

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesarrancaron
yoarranqué
túarrancaste
vosotrosarrancasteis
nosotrosarrancamos
él/ella/ustedarrancó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesarrancaban
yoarrancaba
túarrancabas
vosotrosarrancabais
nosotrosarrancábamos
él/ella/ustedarrancaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesarrancan
yoarranco
túarrancas
vosotrosarrancáis
nosotrosarrancamos
él/ella/ustedarranca
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: arranque

Question 1 of 3

Which phrase describes a 'starter motor' in a car?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
arrancar(to start/to pull out) — Verb
arrancado(pulled out / broke (slang)) — Adjective
arrancada(sudden start/acceleration) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish verb 'arrancar', which likely comes from a combination of Latin and Germanic roots meaning 'to pull up by the roots'. It evolved from the physical act of pulling something to the energetic act of starting a motor or an emotion.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: arracher

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'arranque' and 'inicio' the same?

Not exactly. 'Inicio' is a general word for 'beginning.' 'Arranque' usually implies a forceful start, like an engine firing up or a sudden burst of energy.

Why is it 'arranque' and not 'arrancé'?

'Arranqué' (with an accent) is the past tense 'I started.' 'Arranque' (no accent) is the noun 'the start' or the special verb form for wishes and commands.

Can I use 'arranque' for a person's personality?

Yes! If you say someone has 'arranque,' it means they are proactive and have a lot of initiative.