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estimular

es-tee-moo-lar/esti muˈlaɾ/

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

to encourage

Also: to motivate, to spur on
VerbB1regular ar
A coach giving a smiling athlete a high five on a sunny track.
gerundestimulando
past Participleestimulado
infinitiveestimular

📝 In Action

Los padres deben estimular la curiosidad de sus hijos.

A2

Parents should encourage their children's curiosity.

El profesor estimula a los estudiantes a leer más.

B1

The teacher encourages the students to read more.

Esta música me estimula a trabajar más rápido.

B2

This music motivates me to work faster.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desanimar (to discourage)
  • disuadir (to dissuade)

Common Collocations

  • estimular el interés – to spark interest
  • estimular la creatividad – to encourage creativity

to stimulate

Also: to boost
VerbB2regular ar
A bright green plant sprout growing quickly out of rich brown soil.
gerundestimulando
past Participleestimulado
infinitiveestimular

📝 In Action

El café estimula el sistema nervioso.

B1

Coffee stimulates the nervous system.

El gobierno quiere estimular la economía con nuevos préstamos.

B2

The government wants to boost the economy with new loans.

La luz solar estimula la producción de vitamina D.

C1

Sunlight stimulates the production of vitamin D.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • inhibir (to inhibit)
  • frenar (to slow down/brake)

Common Collocations

  • estimular el apetito – to stimulate the appetite
  • estimular las ventas – to boost sales
  • estimular el crecimiento – to stimulate growth

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesestimularan
yoestimulara
túestimularas
vosotrosestimularais
nosotrosestimuláramos
él/ella/ustedestimulara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesestimulen
yoestimule
túestimules
vosotrosestimuléis
nosotrosestimulemos
él/ella/ustedestimule

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesestimularon
yoestimulé
túestimulaste
vosotrosestimulasteis
nosotrosestimulamos
él/ella/ustedestimuló

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesestimulaban
yoestimulaba
túestimulabas
vosotrosestimulabais
nosotrosestimulábamos
él/ella/ustedestimulaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesestimulan
yoestimulo
túestimulas
vosotrosestimuláis
nosotrosestimulamos
él/ella/ustedestimula
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "estimular" in Spanish:

to boost→to encourage→to motivate→to stimulate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: estimular

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I encourage my students'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
estímulo(stimulus/incentive) — Noun
estimulante(stimulating/stimulant) — Adjective
estimulación(stimulation) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'stimulare', which comes from 'stimulus'—a pointed stick used to poke or urge animals to move.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: stimulateFrench: stimuler

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'estimular' and 'motivar'?

They are very similar! 'Motivar' usually refers to giving someone a reason to do something. 'Estimular' can be used for that, but it is also used for physical things (like coffee stimulating the brain) where 'motivar' would sound strange.

Is 'estimular' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all -ar verbs in all tenses.

Can I use 'estimular' for the economy?

Absolutely. It is the standard term used in news and business to describe boosting or helping the economy grow.