Inklingo

How to Say "instinct" in Spanish

English → Spanish

instinto

een-STEEN-toh/inˈstinto/

nounB1general
Use 'instinto' when referring to a natural, biological, or innate urge or feeling that guides behavior, like the will to survive.
A small, brightly colored spider meticulously spinning a perfect circular web between two green leaves, demonstrating an innate behavior.

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'.

impulso

/eem-POOL-soh//imˈpulso/

nounC1general
Use 'impulso' to describe a sudden, spontaneous urge or drive to do something, often without much thought or planning.
A simplified character suddenly jumping up from a chair, driven by a sudden urge for a cupcake on a table.

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).

radar

rah-DAR/raˈðaɾ/

nounC1figurative
Use 'radar' figuratively to describe a natural talent or a highly developed intuition for noticing or finding something specific.
A small, wide-eyed child standing in a colorful forest, holding a finger to their chin with a thoughtful expression, suggesting they are using instinct to sense something unseen nearby.

Examples

Mi hermana tiene un radar para encontrar ropa de segunda mano barata.

My sister has an instinct for finding cheap second-hand clothes.

Parece que el jefe tiene un radar para saber quién no está trabajando.

It seems the boss has a sixth sense for knowing who isn't working.

Figurative Usage

When used figuratively, 'radar' always means having a strong, almost automatic ability to notice something specific, like 'a radar for danger'.

Instinto vs. Impulso

Learners often confuse 'instinto' and 'impulso'. Remember that 'instinto' is a deeper, natural drive, while 'impulso' is a more superficial, sudden urge. Don't use 'instinto' for a fleeting desire to buy something.

Related Translations

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