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instinto

een-STEEN-tohinˈstinto

“instinto” means “instinct” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

instinct

Also: drive
NounmB1
A small, brightly colored spider meticulously spinning a perfect circular web between two green leaves, demonstrating an innate behavior.

📝 In Action

El instinto de supervivencia es lo que nos mantiene vivos.

B1

The survival instinct is what keeps us alive.

Las aves migran por instinto cada año.

B1

Birds migrate by instinct every year.

Actuó por puro instinto al ver el peligro.

B2

He acted purely by instinct upon seeing the danger.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • instinto maternal – maternal instinct
  • instinto animal – animal instinct
  • instinto básico – basic instinct

intuition

Also: hunch
NounmB2
A young child standing still, gently holding their hand over their stomach, which emits a faint, soft yellow glow, symbolizing intuition or a 'gut feeling.'

📝 In Action

Mi instinto me dice que esta inversión es un error.

B2

My gut feeling tells me this investment is a mistake.

Ella tiene un buen instinto para los negocios.

C1

She has good intuition for business.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • seguir el instinto – to follow one's instinct/gut
  • tener instinto – to have instinct/intuition

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "instinto" in Spanish:

drive→hunch→instinct→intuition→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: instinto

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'instinto' to describe a basic, unlearned behavior?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
instintivo(instinctive) — Adjective
instintivamente(instinctively) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'instinctus,' which meant 'instigation' or 'impulse.' It describes something that is moved or driven from within, without needing teaching or thought.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: instinctFrench: instinct

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'instinto' siempre masculino?

Sí, 'instinto' es un sustantivo masculino. Siempre debes usar el artículo 'el' o un adjetivo masculino con él (e.g., 'el instinto', 'mi instinto').

How do I say 'instinctively' in Spanish?

You use the adverb 'instintivamente.' For example, 'Reaccionó instintivamente' (He reacted instinctively).