How to Say "to promote" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to promote” is “promocionar” — use this word when promoting a product, service, or event, especially in advertising and marketing contexts.
promocionar
pro-mo-syo-narpɾomosjoˈnaɾ
Examples
Queremos promocionar nuestro nuevo café en las redes sociales.
We want to promote our new coffee on social media.
El actor está viajando por el mundo para promocionar su película.
The actor is traveling the world to publicize his movie.
Es necesario promocionar el turismo local para ayudar a la economía.
It is necessary to promote local tourism to help the economy.
Han decidido promocionar a Carlos al puesto de director.
They have decided to promote Carlos to the position of director.
Using 'a' with people
When you promote a person (like an artist), you must add the word 'a' before their name: 'Promocionaron a Shakira'.
It's a regular verb
This verb follows the standard pattern for all '-ar' verbs, making it very predictable to conjugate.
Promocionar vs Ascender
Use 'promocionar' (active) when an organization promotes someone. Use 'ascender' (neutral) to say someone got a promotion or went up.
Promocionar vs. Promover
Mistake: “Using 'promocionar' to describe encouraging a feeling or health.”
Correction: Use 'promover' for ideas or health (promover la salud) and 'promocionar' for sales or career moves.
promover
pro-mo-BERpɾomoˈbeɾ
Examples
Queremos promover un estilo de vida saludable en la escuela.
We want to promote a healthy lifestyle at school.
El gobierno promueve el uso del transporte público.
The government promotes the use of public transportation.
Esta organización promueve la paz mundial.
This organization promotes world peace.
Después de su gran trabajo, la promovieron a directora.
After her great work, they promoted her to director.
The 'O' to 'UE' change
This verb is part of the 'boot' family. The 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue' whenever it's stressed (like in 'promuevo'). This doesn't happen for 'we' (nosotros) or 'you all' (vosotros) because the stress is at the end of those words.
Using 'a' with people
When you are promoting a specific person (like a colleague), remember to add the 'personal a': 'Promovieron a Juan'.
Active vs Passive
In Spanish, we often use the passive form 'ser promovido' (to be promoted), but it's much more natural to say 'me promovieron' (they promoted me).
Watch the 'we' form
Mistake: “Nosotros promuvemos.”
Correction: Nosotros promovemos. (Keep the 'o' for the 'we' and 'you all' forms!)
Mixing with 'Promocionar'
Mistake: “Voy a promover este producto en TV.”
Correction: Voy a promocionar este producto. (Use 'promocionar' for commercial advertising and 'promover' for ideas, causes, or social development.)
ayudar
ah-yoo-DAHRa.ʝuˈðaɾ
Examples
Una buena dieta ayuda a prevenir enfermedades.
A good diet helps to prevent illnesses.
Su donación ayudará a construir la nueva biblioteca.
Your donation will help build the new library.
El sol ayuda a que las plantas crezcan.
The sun helps the plants to grow.
fomentar
fo-men-tarfomenˈtaɾ
Examples
El gobierno quiere fomentar el empleo entre los jóvenes.
The government wants to promote employment among young people.
Es importante fomentar la lectura desde una edad temprana.
It is important to foster reading from an early age.
Debemos fomentar el respeto y la tolerancia en las escuelas.
We must encourage respect and tolerance in schools.
Use with Things, Not People
You use 'fomentar' to talk about promoting activities, ideas, or situations. If you want to encourage a specific person, use the word 'animar' instead.
No 'Personal A'
Since this word is almost always used with abstract nouns (like 'peace' or 'growth') rather than people, you won't need to use the 'personal a' after it.
Confusing with 'Animar'
Mistake: “Fomento a mi hijo para que estudie.”
Correction: Animo a mi hijo para que estudie. (Use 'animar' for people; 'fomentar' is for concepts like study habits).
favorecer
fah-voh-reh-SEHRfaβoɾeˈθeɾ
Examples
Ese color azul te favorece mucho.
That blue color suits you a lot.
Las nuevas leyes favorecen a las pequeñas empresas.
The new laws benefit small businesses.
El clima cálido favorece el crecimiento de estas plantas.
The warm climate promotes the growth of these plants.
The 'ZC' Change
When you use the 'I' form (yo) in the present, the 'c' changes to 'zc' (favorezco) to keep the soft sound. This also happens in all the 'wishes and commands' forms (the subjunctive).
Using 'a' with People
If you are favoring or benefiting a specific person, remember to put the word 'a' before them, as in 'favorecer a los niños'.
Using 'gustar' for clothing
Mistake: “Esa camisa te gusta.”
Correction: Esa camisa te favorece.
impulsar
eem-pool-SARim.pulˈsaɾ
Examples
El gobierno quiere impulsar el empleo juvenil.
The government wants to boost youth employment.
Su ambición lo impulsó a estudiar dos carreras.
His ambition drove him to study two degrees.
El motor impulsa las hélices del avión.
The engine propels the airplane's propellers.
Using it with people
When saying that something 'drove' a person to do something, use the pattern: 'impulsar a (persona) a (verbo)'. Example: 'Me impulsó a viajar' (It drove me to travel).
Boosting Projects vs. People
Use this word when you want to describe giving 'momentum' or a 'push' to something that was stagnant or just starting.
Pushing a door
Mistake: “No puedo impulsar la puerta.”
Correction: No puedo empujar la puerta.
propiciar
pro-pee-syarpɾopiˈsjaɾ
Examples
Debemos propiciar un ambiente de respeto en la oficina.
We must foster an environment of respect in the office.
La lluvia constante propició el crecimiento de las plantas.
The constant rain brought about the growth of the plants.
Sus palabras propiciaron un acuerdo entre las dos partes.
His words facilitated an agreement between both parties.
Using an object after the verb
This word usually needs to be followed by a 'thing' (the situation or atmosphere you are creating). You don't just 'propitiate' in general; you 'propitiate' a result.
Abstract concepts
In Spanish, this verb is almost always used with abstract nouns like 'peace,' 'dialogue,' or 'reconciliation' rather than physical objects.
Confusing with 'propio'
Mistake: “Pensar que 'propiciar' significa 'hacer algo propio'.”
Correction: 'Propiciar' means to create conditions for something, while 'apropiarse' means to make something your own.
promover
pro-mo-BERpɾomoˈbeɾ
Examples
Después de su gran trabajo, la promovieron a directora.
After her great work, they promoted her to director.
Queremos promover un estilo de vida saludable en la escuela.
We want to promote a healthy lifestyle at school.
El gobierno promueve el uso del transporte público.
The government promotes the use of public transportation.
Esta organización promueve la paz mundial.
This organization promotes world peace.
The 'O' to 'UE' change
This verb is part of the 'boot' family. The 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue' whenever it's stressed (like in 'promuevo'). This doesn't happen for 'we' (nosotros) or 'you all' (vosotros) because the stress is at the end of those words.
Using 'a' with people
When you are promoting a specific person (like a colleague), remember to add the 'personal a': 'Promovieron a Juan'.
Active vs Passive
In Spanish, we often use the passive form 'ser promovido' (to be promoted), but it's much more natural to say 'me promovieron' (they promoted me).
Watch the 'we' form
Mistake: “Nosotros promuvemos.”
Correction: Nosotros promovemos. (Keep the 'o' for the 'we' and 'you all' forms!)
Mixing with 'Promocionar'
Mistake: “Voy a promover este producto en TV.”
Correction: Voy a promocionar este producto. (Use 'promocionar' for commercial advertising and 'promover' for ideas, causes, or social development.)
promocionar
pro-mo-syo-narpɾomosjoˈnaɾ
Examples
Han decidido promocionar a Carlos al puesto de director.
They have decided to promote Carlos to the position of director.
Queremos promocionar nuestro nuevo café en las redes sociales.
We want to promote our new coffee on social media.
El actor está viajando por el mundo para promocionar su película.
The actor is traveling the world to publicize his movie.
Es necesario promocionar el turismo local para ayudar a la economía.
It is necessary to promote local tourism to help the economy.
Using 'a' with people
When you promote a person (like an artist), you must add the word 'a' before their name: 'Promocionaron a Shakira'.
It's a regular verb
This verb follows the standard pattern for all '-ar' verbs, making it very predictable to conjugate.
Promocionar vs Ascender
Use 'promocionar' (active) when an organization promotes someone. Use 'ascender' (neutral) to say someone got a promotion or went up.
Promocionar vs. Promover
Mistake: “Using 'promocionar' to describe encouraging a feeling or health.”
Correction: Use 'promover' for ideas or health (promover la salud) and 'promocionar' for sales or career moves.
Promover vs. Promocionar for Job Advancement
Related Translations
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