empujón
“empujón” means “push” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
push
Also: shove, jolt
📝 In Action
Alguien me dio un empujón en el autobús y casi me caigo.
A2Someone gave me a shove on the bus and I almost fell.
No hace falta dar un empujón tan fuerte a la puerta.
B1There's no need to give the door such a hard push.
Los niños se daban empujones jugando en el patio.
B2The children were pushing each other while playing in the yard.
boost
Also: nudge, final push
📝 In Action
Esta beca fue el empujón que necesité para terminar mis estudios.
B1This scholarship was the boost I needed to finish my studies.
Necesitamos un último empujón para completar el proyecto esta noche.
B2We need one last big push to complete the project tonight.
A veces solo necesitas un pequeño empujón para salir de tu zona de confort.
C1Sometimes you just need a little nudge to step out of your comfort zone.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: empujón
Question 1 of 3
Which verb is most commonly used with 'empujón'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Spanish verb 'empujar' (to push), which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'impulsare' (to strike or push against). The suffix '-ón' is used here to indicate a single, sudden, or forceful instance of the action.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'empujón' a rude word?
Not necessarily. While it can describe a rude shove, it is also used neutrally for a boost of help or a physical push that wasn't meant to be mean.
What is the difference between 'empuje' and 'empujón'?
An 'empujón' is a single act (a push). 'Empuje' refers to a person's constant energy, drive, or the continuous force of something like an engine.
How do I say 'to push through a crowd'?
You can use the phrase 'abrirse paso a empujones' (to open one's way by pushing).