How to Say "drive" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “drive” is “motivación” — use 'motivación' when referring to the inner energy, ambition, or reason that makes someone want to achieve something.
motivación
Examples
Mi principal motivación para estudiar es viajar a México.
My main motivation for studying is traveling to Mexico.
impulso
eem-POOL-sohimˈpulso
Examples
Compró el coche por un impulso, sin pensarlo mucho.
He bought the car on an impulse, without thinking about it much.
Sentí el impulso de levantarme y aplaudir.
I felt the urge to stand up and applaud.
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.'
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).
empuje
em-POO-hehemˈpu.xe
Examples
Necesitamos a una persona con mucho empuje para liderar este equipo.
We need a person with a lot of drive to lead this team.
El empuje del agua rompió la pared de madera.
The push of the water broke the wooden wall.
Su carrera profesional ha cobrado un nuevo empuje este año.
His professional career has gained new momentum this year.
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in 'e', this word is always masculine: 'el empuje'.
Noun vs. Action
Use 'empuje' to talk about the quality of being energetic or the general force of something. Use 'empujón' for a single, physical shove.
Empuje vs. Empujón
Mistake: “Me dio un empuje en la fila.”
Correction: Me dio un empujón en la fila. (Use 'empujón' for a physical shove by a person).
energía
Examples
Después de tomar café, tengo más energía para trabajar.
After having coffee, I have more energy to work.
iniciativa
ee-nee-syah-tee-bahiniθjaˈtiβa
Examples
Ella siempre toma la iniciativa en las reuniones.
She always takes the initiative in meetings.
Buscamos a alguien con iniciativa y ganas de trabajar.
We are looking for someone with drive and a desire to work.
Always Feminine
Even though it starts with 'i', this word is always feminine. Use 'la iniciativa' or 'una iniciativa'.
Don't confuse with 'inicio'
Mistake: “El iniciativa del proyecto.”
Correction: La iniciativa del proyecto (or 'el inicio' if you mean the start).
mueven
MWEH-vehnˈmwe.βen
Examples
Las injusticias sociales mueven a los ciudadanos a protestar.
Social injustices motivate the citizens to protest.
Sus palabras siempre me mueven; son muy inspiradoras.
Their words always move me; they are very inspiring.
Ellos mueven grandes cantidades de dinero en la bolsa.
They move (manage/handle) large amounts of money on the stock market.
Confusing Action and Feeling
Mistake: “Me mueven mucho estas películas. (Literal: These movies move me physically.)”
Correction: Me conmueven mucho estas películas. (Using 'conmover' is clearer for emotional impact, though 'mover' is also acceptable in certain contexts.)
ambición
Examples
Su ambición es convertirse en el director de la empresa.
His ambition is to become the company director.
agresividad
ah-greh-see-bee-DAHDaɡɾesiβiˈdad
Examples
No me gusta la agresividad de ese perro.
I don't like that dog's aggressiveness.
El equipo mostró mucha agresividad en el segundo tiempo.
The team showed a lot of drive (aggressiveness) in the second half.
Es importante manejar la agresividad en el trabajo.
It is important to manage aggression at work.
The -dad Ending Rule
Most Spanish words that end in '-dad' are feminine. Because of this, you should always use 'la' or 'una' with agresividad.
Abstract Concepts
Spanish uses the definite article (la) much more than English when talking about general concepts like 'aggression' (agresividad).
Using the wrong gender
Mistake: “el agresividad”
Correction: la agresividad (because words ending in -dad are feminine).
Confusion with 'agresión'
Mistake: “Tuvo una agresividad contra mí.”
Correction: Tuvo una agresión contra mí. (Use 'agresividad' for the trait/feeling, but 'agresión' for the physical act of attacking).
instinto
een-STEEN-tohinˈstinto
Examples
El instinto de supervivencia es lo que nos mantiene vivos.
The survival instinct is what keeps us alive.
Las aves migran por instinto cada año.
Birds migrate by instinct every year.
Actuó por puro instinto al ver el peligro.
He acted purely by instinct upon seeing the danger.
Using 'Por' with Instinct
When you want to say someone or something did something 'by instinct,' use the preposition 'por' (e.g., 'por instinto').
Gender Error
Mistake: “La instinto”
Correction: Instinto is always masculine: 'El instinto'. Even though it ends in 'o', it's important to remember the article 'el'.
Examples
El candidato empezó su campaña electoral la semana pasada.
The candidate started his electoral campaign last week.
paseo
pah-seh-ohpaˈseo
Examples
El domingo haremos un paseo en bicicleta por la costa.
On Sunday we will take a bike ride along the coast.
Fueron de paseo en coche para ver las luces de la ciudad.
They went for a drive to see the city lights.
Motivation vs. Action
Related Translations
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