empuje
“empuje” means “drive” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
drive, push
Also: momentum, initiative
📝 In Action
Necesitamos a una persona con mucho empuje para liderar este equipo.
B1We need a person with a lot of drive to lead this team.
El empuje del agua rompió la pared de madera.
A2The push of the water broke the wooden wall.
Su carrera profesional ha cobrado un nuevo empuje este año.
B2His professional career has gained new momentum this year.
push
📝 In Action
No creo que él empuje la mesa solo.
B1I don't think he can push the table by himself.
Es importante que usted empuje la puerta con fuerza.
B1It is important that you push the door hard.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: empuje
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'empuje' to mean 'ambition'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish verb 'empujar', which traces back to the Latin 'impulsare', meaning 'to strike against' or 'to push forward'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'empuje' mean 'pressure'?
Yes, especially in physics or engineering, it refers to the thrust or upward pressure exerted by fluids or mechanical forces.
Is 'empuje' a common word?
Very common! You will hear it used to describe motivated people or to describe physical force in news reports.
Is 'empuje' the same as 'impulso'?
They are close, but 'impulso' is often more about a sudden 'impulse' or 'momentum', while 'empuje' implies a more sustained drive or force.