German Conversation · Level 33
91 words
German word
Impuls
Pronunciation
IPA/ɪmˈpʊls/
Meaning
- masculine nounurge
Example
Plötzlich verspürte ich einen Impuls, laut zu lachen.
Suddenly, I felt an urge to laugh out loud.
More examples
Sie gab einem Impuls nach und kaufte das teure Buch.
She gave in to an urge and bought the expensive book.
Core concept
A momentary push that launches motion or prompts an action.
Common phrases
einem Impuls nachgeben
give in to an urge
einen Impuls bekommen
feel an urge
einen Impuls weitergeben
pass on momentum
Similar words
Drang: A powerful urge to do something that is hard to resist.
Eingebung: A sudden idea that inspires an action or response.
Regung: A brief stir of feeling within the mind.
Definition in German
Plötzliche innere Regung oder äußerer Anstoß, der zu raschem, oft unüberlegtem Handeln führt; in der Physik auch als Impuls für Bewegungsgrößen verwendet.
Word origin
Impuls developed in German from Latin impulsus, the past participle of impellere, and its psychological and physical uses retain the idea of being pushed into motion.
Usage tips
- The phrase einen Impuls geben usually means to provide a stimulus or starting point, not to give someone a personal urge.
Other meanings
- momentumnoun
- impetusnoun
- driving forcenoun
Opposites
- Selbstbeherrschungself-controlnoun
- Kontrollecontrolnoun
Related words
- Impulsivitätimpulsivitynoun
- impulsivimpulsiveadjective