Spanish Conversation · Level 5
88 words
Spanish word
catalizador
Pronunciation
IPA/kataliθaˈðoɾ/
Meaning
- masculine nouncatalyst
Example
Su llegada fue el catalizador para reunir a todo el equipo.
His arrival was the catalyst for bringing the whole team together.
More examples
Ese encuentro sirvió de catalizador para que empezaran a colaborar.
That encounter served as a catalyst for them to begin collaborating.
Core concept
A cause that triggers and speeds a process.
Common phrases
servir de catalizador
serve as a catalyst
un catalizador de cambios
a catalyst for change
Similar words
estímulo: Serves as a stimulus that elicits a response or increases interest.
impulso: Supplies the impetus or drive that starts or keeps action moving.
causa: Brings about a result as the immediate cause of an event.
origen: Provides the point or source where something begins.
Definition in Spanish
Indica una causa o elemento que inicia o acelera un proceso, tanto en química como en sentido figurado.
Word origin
From Spanish catalizar 'to catalyze' (ultimately from Greek katalysis 'loosening' or 'dissolving') plus the agent suffix -ador, meaning one that initiates or accelerates a reaction.
Usage tips
- Common in the phrase 'fue el catalizador de...' to mark the trigger of a change, and in casual speech speakers often say provocó or impulsó instead of the noun.
Other meanings
- sparknoun
- stimulusnoun
Opposites
- obstáculoobstaclenoun
- frenohindrancenoun
Related words
- catalizarcatalyzeverb
- catalizantecatalyticadjective