Inklingo
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impulso

/eem-POOL-soh/

impulse

A simplified character suddenly jumping up from a chair, driven by a sudden urge for a cupcake on a table.

Impulso as a sudden urge or impulse.

impulso(noun)

mC1

impulse

?

sudden urge

,

urge

?

strong desire

Also:

drive

?

internal motivation

,

instinct

?

unthinking reaction

📝 In Action

Compró el coche por un impulso, sin pensarlo mucho.

B2

He bought the car on an impulse, without thinking about it much.

Sentí el impulso de levantarme y aplaudir.

C1

I felt the urge to stand up and applaud.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • actuar por impulso – to act on impulse
  • seguir un impulso – to follow an impulse

💡 Grammar Points

Using Prepositions

When talking about acting on a sudden urge, Spanish uses the preposition 'por' (by/for) or 'de' (of): 'Actué por impulso' or 'Tuve el impulso de llamar.'

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Impulso' and 'Impulsividad'

Mistake: "Using 'impulsividad' when referring to a single action."

Correction: 'Impulsividad' is the personality trait (being impulsive), while 'impulso' is the singular action or feeling that leads to the act. Say: 'Fue un impulso' (It was an impulse).

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Drive

You can use 'dar impulso' (to give impulse) to describe providing motivation or drive to a project or person.

A simplified human hand applying physical force to push a single, brightly colored wooden block across a flat surface.

Impulso as a physical push or force.

impulso(noun)

mB1

push

?

physical force

,

thrust

?

propelling force

Also:

momentum

?

force gained by movement

📝 In Action

Necesitas un buen impulso para saltar esa barrera.

B1

You need a good push/spring to jump that barrier.

El cohete tomó impulso y se elevó al cielo.

B2

The rocket gathered thrust and rose into the sky.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • empuje (push/shove)
  • fuerza (force)

Common Collocations

  • tomar impulso – to gather momentum/to take a run-up

💡 Grammar Points

Physical Action

When describing physical action, 'impulso' refers to the initial, sudden force that sets something in motion.

A tiny green seedling rapidly shooting upwards out of the ground, illuminated by a single, stylized sunbeam, symbolizing a stimulus or boost.

Impulso as a stimulus or boost that promotes growth.

impulso(noun)

mC2

stimulus

?

economic/social boost

,

impetus

?

driving force behind a process

Also:

boost

?

encouragement or aid

📝 In Action

El nuevo proyecto de ley dará un gran impulso al sector tecnológico.

C2

The new bill will give a great boost to the technology sector.

La inversión extranjera fue un impulso vital para la economía local.

C2

Foreign investment was a vital impetus for the local economy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • estímulo (stimulus)
  • fomento (promotion/encouragement)

Common Collocations

  • impulso económico – economic boost
  • dar un impulso – to provide a stimulus

💡 Grammar Points

Formal Use

In formal language, 'impulso' is often used as a synonym for 'estímulo' (stimulus) when discussing policies or projects designed to help something grow.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: impulso

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'impulso' to mean a physical force?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

impulsar(to push, to drive, to promote) - verb
impulsivo(impulsive) - adjective
impulsora(driving force (feminine noun)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'impulso' the same as 'motivación' (motivation)?

Not exactly. 'Motivación' is a sustained, long-term reason for doing something. 'Impulso' is usually a sudden, short-term force, like a flash of inspiration or a quick push to start an action.

Does 'impulso' have a feminine form?

'Impulso' is always a masculine noun (el impulso). The related feminine noun 'impulsora' (the driving force or promoter) exists, but it refers to a person or entity that initiates action.