Spanish word

impulso

Pronunciation

IPA/imˈpulso/

Meaning

  • masculine nounimpulse

Example

A veces tengo un impulso de comprar cosas que no necesito.

Sometimes I have an impulse to buy things I don't need.

Illustration for impulso (impulse)

More examples

Sentí un impulso de hablar sin pensar.

I felt an impulse to speak without thinking.

Core concept

A brief internal push that prompts action.

Common phrases

  • tener un impulso

    have an impulse

  • impulso de compra

    impulse purchase

  • controlar el impulso

    control the impulse

Similar words

motivación: Deep-seated drive that fuels continued effort to reach specific goals.
ánimo: Temporary mood or energy that shapes a person's willingness to act.
deseo: Intense wanting of something, often focused on a particular object or outcome.
tentación: Feeling of being drawn to do something that should be avoided.

Definition in Spanish

Fuerza o energía que impulsa un movimiento o una decisión, a menudo interna y de corta duración.

Word origin

From medieval Latin impulsus, the past participle of Latin impellere 'to push', originally 'a push' and later used for a short internal force.

Usage tips

  • Commonly used for a short-lived urge (tener un impulso de + infinitive) and not for a considered reason, for which speakers prefer motivo or razón.

Other meanings

  • urgenoun
  • momentumnoun
  • drivenoun

Opposites

  • inhibicióninhibitionnoun
  • controlcontrolnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word