Inklingo

How to Say "to urge" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to urge” is “presionar” — use this when you want to convey that someone is applying strong encouragement or pressure, often in a work or personal context, to get something done.

English → Spanish

presionar

pre-syo-NARpɾesjoˈnaɾ

verbB1general
Use this when you want to convey that someone is applying strong encouragement or pressure, often in a work or personal context, to get something done.
A small, nervous-looking bird being surrounded by several larger birds all leaning in towards it.

Examples

Mi jefe me está presionando para terminar el proyecto hoy.

My boss is pressuring me to finish the project today.

Los sindicatos están presionando al gobierno.

The unions are pressuring the government.

Pressuring someone to do something

When you pressure someone 'to do' something, Spanish uses 'para que' followed by a special verb form (the subjunctive). For example: 'Me presionan para que vaya' (They pressure me to go).

aprieta

ah-pree-EH-tahaˈpɾjeta

verbB1general
This is used similarly to 'presionar' to indicate strong insistence or pressure, often in a demanding or urgent situation.
A person looking at a huge stack of papers on a desk while a hand points at a clock-less wall.

Examples

Mi jefe me aprieta para que termine el proyecto hoy.

My boss is pressuring me to finish the project today.

instar

een-STARinsˈtaɾ

verbB2formal
Choose this when a person or authority is formally or strongly recommending or requesting that someone take a specific action.
A friendly person leaning forward and gesturing toward a doorway to encourage a friend to enter.

Examples

El gobierno insta a los ciudadanos a reciclar más.

The government urges citizens to recycle more.

Mi jefe me instó a terminar el informe hoy mismo.

My boss pressed me to finish the report this very day.

Las autoridades instan a la calma tras el incidente.

The authorities urge for calm following the incident.

Using the 'A' Bridge

In Spanish, when you urge someone to do something, you always use the word 'a' before the person AND before the action. For example: 'Insto a María a estudiar' (I urge Maria to study).

Triggering the Special Verb Form

When you use 'instar que' to urge that someone else does something, the second verb must use the subjunctive (the special form for wishes and commands), like 'Insto a que vengas' (I urge you to come).

Forgetting the 'A'

Mistake: “Insto los alumnos estudiar.”

Correction: Insto a los alumnos a estudiar. You need 'a' before the person you are urging and 'a' before the following action.

incitar

een-see-TARinsiˈtaɾ

verbB2general
Use this when someone's words or actions are actively encouraging or provoking others to do something, often something with significant consequences.
A small bird chirping loudly at a group of sleepy owls to wake them up.

Examples

Sus palabras incitaron a la multitud a pedir justicia.

His words incited the crowd to demand justice.

El profesor busca incitar la curiosidad de los estudiantes.

The teacher seeks to spark the students' curiosity.

No debemos incitar al odio en las redes sociales.

We must not incite hatred on social media.

The 'A' Bridge

When 'incitar' leads to an action, you must use the word 'a' before the next verb or noun. For example: 'Me incitó a comer'.

Regular Pattern

This verb follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar, making it easy to conjugate once you know the basics.

Missing the Preposition

Mistake: “Me incitó correr.”

Correction: Me incitó a correr. In Spanish, we need that 'a' to connect the push to the action.

Pressure vs. Encouragement

Learners often confuse 'presionar'/'aprieta' with 'instar' or 'incitar'. Remember that 'presionar' and 'aprieta' imply direct pressure on an individual to complete a task, while 'instar' is a formal recommendation and 'incitar' suggests provoking or inciting action.

Related Translations

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