impulso
“impulso” means “impulse” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
impulse, urge
Also: drive, instinct
📝 In Action
Compró el coche por un impulso, sin pensarlo mucho.
B2He bought the car on an impulse, without thinking about it much.
Sentí el impulso de levantarme y aplaudir.
C1I felt the urge to stand up and applaud.
push, thrust
Also: momentum
📝 In Action
Necesitas un buen impulso para saltar esa barrera.
B1You need a good push/spring to jump that barrier.
El cohete tomó impulso y se elevó al cielo.
B2The rocket gathered thrust and rose into the sky.
stimulus, impetus
Also: boost
📝 In Action
El nuevo proyecto de ley dará un gran impulso al sector tecnológico.
C2The new bill will give a great boost to the technology sector.
La inversión extranjera fue un impulso vital para la economía local.
C2Foreign investment was a vital impetus for the local economy.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: impulso
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'impulso' to mean a physical force?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *impulsus*, which means 'a push' or 'a shock.' It maintains that core idea of a force that sets something in motion, whether physical or emotional.
First recorded: Late Middle Ages
Cognates (Related words)
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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.