How to Say "to inspire" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to inspire” is “inspirar” — use 'inspirar' when someone or something fills you with the desire or ability to create or do something, often in an artistic or intellectual sense.
inspirar
een-spee-RAHRinspiˈɾaɾ
Examples
El arte de Picasso me inspira a pintar.
Picasso's art inspires me to paint.
Ella logra inspirar a todos sus alumnos.
She manages to inspire all her students.
Tu valentía me inspira a ser mejor persona.
Your courage inspires me to be a better person.
Ese edificio inspira mucha confianza.
That building instills a lot of confidence.
Using 'a' with People
When you inspire a person, you must use the 'personal a'. For example: 'Él inspira a su equipo' (He inspires his team).
Direct Object Pronouns
If you want to say 'He inspires me', the 'me' comes before the verb: 'Él me inspira'.
Inspire in someone
Mistake: “Me inspira confianza en él.”
Correction: Él me inspira confianza.
motivar
moh-tee-BAHRmotiˈβaɾ
Examples
El entrenador motiva al equipo para ganar el partido.
The coach motivates the team to win the game.
Mi profesor me motiva a estudiar más.
My teacher motivates me to study more.
Es difícil motivar a los empleados los lunes.
It is difficult to motivate employees on Mondays.
Me motiva mucho viajar por el mundo.
Traveling the world inspires me a lot.
The 'Personal A'
When you motivate a specific person, you must use the word 'a' before their name or the noun describing them (e.g., 'Motivar a Juan').
Connecting Actions
If you want to say you motivate someone to do something, use 'a' before the second verb: 'Me motiva a trabajar'.
Confusing Motivar with Motivo
Mistake: “Él es mi motivar.”
Correction: Él es mi motivo (He is my reason/motive). Use the noun 'motivo' for 'a reason' and 'motivar' for the action.
alentar
ah-lehn-TAHRalenˈtaɾ
Examples
Mis amigos me alientan a empezar mi propio negocio.
My friends encourage me to start my own business.
Mis padres siempre me alientan a seguir mis sueños.
My parents always encourage me to follow my dreams.
Miles de personas fueron al estadio para alentar a su equipo.
Thousands of people went to the stadium to cheer on their team.
Es importante alentar la curiosidad en los niños.
It is important to foster curiosity in children.
The Stem Change
This is a 'boot verb.' The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' in all forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'. Think of it as adding a little extra energy (the 'i') to the word when you say it!
Using 'a' with People
When you encourage a specific person or group, always put the word 'a' after alentar. Example: 'Aliento a mi hermano' (I encourage my brother).
The 'Alento' Error
Mistake: “Yo alento a mi amigo.”
Correction: Yo aliento a mi amigo. (Don't forget to change the 'e' to 'ie' in the present tense!)
Confusion with 'Alimentar'
Mistake: “Aliento al perro.”
Correction: Alimento al perro. (Alentar is for motivation; alimentar is for giving food.)
mover
moh-VEHRmoˈβeɾ
Examples
La historia del refugiado me conmovió mucho.
The refugee's story moved me deeply.
Su discurso me movió profundamente; casi lloro.
Her speech moved me deeply; I almost cried.
La música movió a la multitud a bailar.
The music stirred the crowd to dance.
Emotional Causation
In this sense, 'mover' describes something causing an emotional reaction in someone else. The thing that causes the feeling is the subject, and the person feeling it is the object.
Inspirar vs. Motivar
Related Translations
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