instar
“instar” means “to urge” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to urge
Also: to press, to prompt
📝 In Action
El gobierno insta a los ciudadanos a reciclar más.
B1The government urges citizens to recycle more.
Mi jefe me instó a terminar el informe hoy mismo.
B2My boss pressed me to finish the report this very day.
Las autoridades instan a la calma tras el incidente.
C1The authorities urge for calm following the incident.
to request formally
Also: to initiate
📝 In Action
El demandante instó la nulidad del juicio.
C1The plaintiff requested the annulment of the trial.
Es necesario instar el procedimiento legal.
C2It is necessary to initiate the legal procedure.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: instar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'instar' to mean 'to urge someone to do something'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'instāre', which literally meant 'to stand upon' or 'to press hard.' This perfectly describes the feeling of someone 'pressing' you to do something.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'instar' the same as 'insistir'?
They are close, but 'instar' is more formal and often used when an authority encourages someone else to act. 'Insistir' is more common in everyday speech and implies saying something repeatedly.
Do I need to use the subjunctive with 'instar'?
Yes, if you use the word 'que' after it (e.g., 'Insto a que ellos lo hagan'), you must use the subjunctive because you are trying to influence someone else's actions.
Can I use 'instar' with my friends?
It might sound a bit too formal or dramatic! In a casual setting, most people would use 'animar' (encourage) or 'decir' (tell).