inspirar
verbUpper-intermediate
What does “inspirar” mean in English?
to inspire, to motivate
to inspire, to motivate (inspirar a alguien a — fill someone with the desire or ability to do or feel something)
Example sentences
Su historia de superación personal logró inspirar a miles de jóvenes a perseguir sus metas con más determinación.
Her story of personal resilience managed to inspire thousands of young people to pursue their goals with greater determination.
El nuevo liderazgo inspira confianza en los empleados, que por primera vez en años sienten respaldo institucional.
The new leadership inspires confidence in employees, who for the first time in years feel institutional support.
La película está inspirada en los diarios de una periodista que cubrió el conflicto durante cinco años.
The film is inspired by the diaries of a journalist who covered the conflict for five years.
How to use it
Inspirar means 'to inspire' or 'to breathe in' (literal). At B2, the figurative sense dominates: inspirar a alguien a hacer algo (inspire someone to do something), inspirar confianza/respeto (inspire confidence/respect). Also: una novela inspirada en hechos reales (a novel inspired by real events). Don't confuse with motivar (motivate — more external/instrumental) or alentar (encourage — less intense, more supportive). Inspirar implies a deeper, more creative or emotional stimulus.
Common mistake
Inspirar (inspire — trigger creative or emotional energy) vs. motivar (motivate — drive to action, often extrinsically). 'Me inspiró a escribir' (he inspired me to write — sparked creativity); 'me motivó a estudiar más' (he motivated me to study more — gave me a practical reason). Inspirar tends to be more intrinsic and lasting.
Topics
Related Upper-intermediate words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Funciones 6.44.