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How to Say "push" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “push” is “empuja” — use 'empuja' when referring to the physical act of moving something or someone forward by applying force, often as a direct command or description of an action..

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empuja

/em-POO-hah//emˈpu.xa/

verbA1
Use 'empuja' when referring to the physical act of moving something or someone forward by applying force, often as a direct command or description of an action.
A child wearing a red shirt struggles to push a large blue wooden block across a floor.

Examples

Por favor, empuja la puerta para abrirla.

Please push the door to open it.

El niño empuja el coche de juguete.

The boy pushes the toy car.

¡Empuja la puerta con más fuerza!

Push the door harder!

Usted empuja el carrito mientras yo busco el pan.

You push the cart while I look for the bread. (Formal usage)

Dual Role of 'Empuja'

This single word can mean 'He/She/You (formal) pushes' (statement) OR 'Push!' (a direct command to a friend using 'tú'). Context is key!

Confusing Push and Pull

Mistake: “Using 'empujar' when you mean 'tirar' or 'jalar' (to pull).”

Correction: Remember the sign on the door: PULL is usually 'Tire' or 'Jale', PUSH is 'Empuje' (formal command).

impulso

/eem-POOL-soh//imˈpulso/

nounB1
Use 'impulso' when referring to the force or momentum needed to start something moving or to overcome resistance, like a physical shove or a driving force.
A simplified human hand applying physical force to push a single, brightly colored wooden block across a flat surface.

Examples

El jugador de fútbol necesitaba un gran impulso para marcar el gol.

The soccer player needed a big push to score the goal.

Necesitas un buen impulso para saltar esa barrera.

You need a good push/spring to jump that barrier.

El cohete tomó impulso y se elevó al cielo.

The rocket gathered thrust and rose into the sky.

Physical Action

When describing physical action, 'impulso' refers to the initial, sudden force that sets something in motion.

nounA2
Use 'campaña' for organized efforts, especially in marketing, politics, or social causes, to promote something or achieve a specific goal.

Examples

La marca lanzó una nueva campaña publicitaria en televisión.

The brand launched a new advertising campaign on television.

ofensiva

/o-fen-SEE-bah//o.fenˈsi.βa/

nounB2formal
Use 'ofensiva' to describe a large-scale, coordinated effort, typically in a military or competitive context, to gain an advantage or attack.
A row of colorful toy soldiers and small wooden tanks moving forward together across a green field.

Examples

El equipo hizo una ofensiva desesperada en los últimos minutos del partido.

The team made a desperate offensive in the final minutes of the game.

El ejército lanzó una gran ofensiva al amanecer.

The army launched a major offensive at dawn.

El equipo de fútbol tiene una ofensiva muy rápida.

The soccer team has a very fast offensive (attack).

La empresa inició una ofensiva publicitaria para ganar clientes.

The company started a marketing push to win customers.

Using 'ofensiva' as a noun

This word is always feminine when it refers to an attack or a campaign. You will almost always see it with the article 'la' or 'una'.

Action vs. Organized Effort

Learners often confuse the verb 'empujar' (to push something physically) with nouns like 'campaña' or 'ofensiva'. Remember that 'empujar' describes a direct physical action, while 'campaña' and 'ofensiva' refer to broader, organized efforts or strategies.

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