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emocionar

eh-moh-syoh-NAHR/emoθjoˈnar/

“emocionar” means “to move” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to move

Also: to excite, to touch
VerbB1regular ar
A child handing a single bright flower to an elderly person who is smiling warmly with a hand over their heart.
gerundemocionando
past Participleemocionado
infinitiveemocionar

📝 In Action

Esa canción siempre me emociona mucho.

A2

That song always moves me a lot.

Sus palabras emocionaron a todo el público.

B1

His words touched the entire audience.

Me emociona saber que vas a venir a visitarnos.

B1

It excites me to know that you are coming to visit us.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • emocionar profundamente – to move deeply
  • fácil de emocionar – easy to move/touch

to get emotional

Also: to get excited
VerbB1regular (used with me, te, se, nos, os, se) ar
A person with a gentle smile and glistening eyes, wiped by a handkerchief, looking at a beautiful sunset.
gerundemocionándose
past Participleemocionado
infinitiveemocionarse

📝 In Action

Ella se emocionó al ver a su familia.

A2

She got emotional when she saw her family.

No te emociones todavía, falta lo mejor.

B1

Don't get excited yet, the best part is coming.

Nos emocionamos mucho con el regalo.

B1

We got really excited/moved by the gift.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • entusiasmarse (to get enthusiastic)

Antonyms

  • calmarse (to calm down)

Common Collocations

  • emocionarse hasta las lágrimas – to be moved to tears

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesemocionaran
yoemocionara
túemocionaras
vosotrosemocionarais
nosotrosemocionáramos
él/ella/ustedemocionara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesemocionen
yoemocione
túemociones
vosotrosemocionéis
nosotrosemocionemos
él/ella/ustedemocione

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesemocionaron
yoemocioné
túemocionaste
vosotrosemocionasteis
nosotrosemocionamos
él/ella/ustedemocionó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesemocionaban
yoemocionaba
túemocionabas
vosotrosemocionabais
nosotrosemocionábamos
él/ella/ustedemocionaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesemocionan
yoemociono
túemocionas
vosotrosemocionáis
nosotrosemocionamos
él/ella/ustedemociona
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "emocionar" in Spanish:

to excite→to move→to touch→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: emocionar

Question 1 of 3

How would you say 'The gift moved me'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the noun 'emoción' (emotion), which comes from Latin 'emotio', meaning a movement or disturbance.

First recorded: 19th century (as the modern verb form)

Cognates (Related words)

English: emotionFrench: émouvoir

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'emocionar' always mean 'to be happy'?

Not necessarily. It usually means a 'high energy' emotion. It can be moving/sad (like a beautiful speech) or exciting/happy (like winning the lottery).

What is the difference between 'emocionante' and 'emocionado'?

'Emocionante' describes the thing (an exciting game), while 'emocionado' describes the person (an excited fan).

Is 'emocionar' common in Spain and Latin America?

Yes, it is used universally across all Spanish-speaking countries.