French Conversation · Level 37
74 words
French word
inspirer
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃spiʁe/
Meaning
- verbinspire
Example
Cette idée inspire la créativité.
This idea inspires creativity.
More examples
Sa musique inspire de fortes émotions.
His music inspires strong emotions.
Core concept
An idea, feeling, or creative impulse taking shape inside someone after contact with a source.
Common phrases
inspirer la créativité
inspire creativity
s'inspirer de
draw inspiration from
Similar words
motiver: To give someone a reason or desire to take action.
encourager: To ease doubt and support someone in continuing an action.
pousser: To strongly pressure someone into taking action.
inciter: To urge someone toward a particular action.
Definition in French
Provoquer chez quelqu'un une idée, une émotion ou un élan créatif.
Word origin
Inspirer comes from Latin inspirare, meaning to breathe into, through Old French, and developed the figurative sense of putting an idea or feeling into someone.
Usage tips
- Inspirer takes a direct object, as in Cette idée inspire la créativité, while s'inspirer de introduces the source of an idea.
Other meanings
- influenceverb
Opposites
- découragerdiscourageverb
- démoraliserdemoralizeverb
Related words
- inspirationinspirationnoun
- inspirantinspiringadjective