Inklingo

How to Say "impact" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “impact” is “impacto” — use 'impacto' when referring to the effect or influence of something, similar to the English word, especially in business or general contexts..

impacto🔊B1

Use 'impacto' when referring to the effect or influence of something, similar to the English word, especially in business or general contexts.

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influencia🔊A2

Choose 'influencia' when the focus is specifically on the power to affect someone or something's character, development, or behavior.

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alcance🔊A2

Use 'alcance' to talk about the extent of something's reach, effect, or what is within one's ability to influence or achieve.

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huella🔊B1

Opt for 'huella' when discussing a lasting mark or trace, particularly an environmental or social effect left behind.

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choque🔊A1

Use 'choque' specifically for the physical impact of a collision or crash between objects, like vehicles.

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shock🔊B1

Choose 'shock' when referring to a sudden, often unpleasant, surprising effect or emotional jolt.

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English → Spanish

impacto

/eem-PAHK-toh//imˈpakto/

nounB1general
Use 'impacto' when referring to the effect or influence of something, similar to the English word, especially in business or general contexts.
A small figure planting a tiny seed in the ground, which instantly grows into a huge, radiant, colorful tree, symbolizing influence and effect.

Examples

La campaña de marketing tuvo un impacto enorme en las ventas.

The marketing campaign had an enormous impact on sales.

El impacto ambiental del proyecto es nuestra mayor preocupación.

The environmental impact of the project is our biggest concern.

¿Cuál fue el impacto de la crisis económica en la región?

What was the impact of the economic crisis in the region?

Always Masculine

Remember that 'impacto' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Using 'impacto' as a verb

Mistake: “La noticia me impacto mucho.”

Correction: La noticia me impactó mucho. (Use the correct verb form: 'impactar'.)

influencia

een-floo-EN-see-ah/in.fluˈen.sja/

nounA2general
Choose 'influencia' when the focus is specifically on the power to affect someone or something's character, development, or behavior.
A small, simple figure is standing at a fork in the road, appearing indecisive. A large, softly glowing, disembodied hand hovers behind the figure, gently nudging or directing the figure toward the path on the right.

Examples

Mi hermana tiene mucha influencia en mis gustos musicales.

My sister has a lot of influence on my musical tastes.

La influencia de las redes sociales es innegable hoy en día.

The influence of social media is undeniable nowadays.

El director ejerció su influencia para cambiar la fecha de la reunión.

The director exerted his influence to change the meeting date.

Always Feminine

Since 'influencia' ends in -a, it is a feminine noun. You must always use 'la' or 'una' before it (e.g., la influencia, mucha influencia).

Prepositions with Influence

Mistake: “La influencia *en* mis amigos (using 'en' when talking about the effect on people)”

Correction: La influencia *sobre* mis amigos (or *en* works, but *sobre* is often preferred when describing influence directed at something/someone).

alcance

ahl-KAHN-seh/alˈkance/

nounA2general
Use 'alcance' to talk about the extent of something's reach, effect, or what is within one's ability to influence or achieve.
A small child standing on tiptoes, stretching their hand out toward a brightly colored, high shelf containing a single toy, demonstrating the limit of their reach.

Examples

El libro está en el estante de arriba, fuera de mi alcance.

The book is on the top shelf, out of my reach.

La decisión del gobierno tiene un gran alcance nacional.

The government's decision has a great national scope/impact.

La señal de Wi-Fi tiene un alcance muy limitado en esta zona.

The Wi-Fi signal has a very limited range in this area.

Using Prepositions with Alcance

You almost always use 'al alcance de' (within reach of) or 'fuera de alcance' (out of reach).

Confusing Alcance (Noun) and Alcanzar (Verb)

Mistake: “Using 'el alcanzar' when you mean 'the reach' (el alcance).”

Correction: Remember 'alcance' is the thing (the distance/scope), and 'alcanzar' is the action (to reach).

huella

WEY-yah/ˈweʝa/

nounB1general
Opt for 'huella' when discussing a lasting mark or trace, particularly an environmental or social effect left behind.
A narrow, faint dirt path winding through a field of tall green grass, indicating a remnant of travel.

Examples

La civilización antigua dejó una huella imborrable en la historia.

The ancient civilization left an indelible trace on history.

Es importante reducir nuestra huella ecológica.

It is important to reduce our ecological footprint.

El profesor dejó una huella positiva en todos sus estudiantes.

The professor left a positive impression on all his students.

Using 'Dejar'

To express leaving a mark or making an impact, you almost always use the verb 'dejar' (to leave): 'dejar una huella'.

Confusing 'Huella' and 'Pie'

Mistake: “Using 'pie' (foot) when you mean the mark left by the foot.”

Correction: Use 'huella' for the *mark* or *track*. 'Pie' is the actual body part.

choque

CHOH-keh/ˈtʃo.ke/

nounA1general
Use 'choque' specifically for the physical impact of a collision or crash between objects, like vehicles.
A simple illustration showing the front bumpers of two small, colorful cars slightly touching after a minor impact.

Examples

El choque entre los dos coches fue muy fuerte.

The collision between the two cars was very strong.

Llamaron a la policía después del choque.

They called the police after the crash.

El choque frontal dejó a los conductores heridos.

The head-on collision left the drivers injured.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'choque' is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Confusing 'choque' and 'chocar'

Mistake: “Using 'yo choque' when you mean 'yo choqué' (I crashed).”

Correction: 'Choque' is the noun (the crash itself). Use the verb 'chocar' (to crash) for actions.

shock

/shok//ˈʃok/

nounB1general
Choose 'shock' when referring to a sudden, often unpleasant, surprising effect or emotional jolt.
A person standing frozen with wide eyes and a hand over their mouth, indicating sudden emotional surprise or shock.

Examples

La noticia de su renuncia fue un shock para todos.

The news of his resignation was a shock to everyone.

Estaba en estado de shock después del accidente.

She was in a state of shock after the accident.

El país aún no se recupera del shock económico.

The country still hasn't recovered from the economic shock.

Gender Rule

Even though 'shock' comes from English, it is always treated as a masculine noun in Spanish: 'el shock'.

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La shock”

Correction: El shock. Remember, most nouns that end in a consonant and are loanwords tend to be masculine in Spanish.

Impacto vs. Choque

The most common mistake is using 'impacto' for a physical collision. Remember that 'choque' specifically refers to the force of hitting or a crash, while 'impacto' is more about the effect or consequence.

Related Translations

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