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inspirar

to inspire

verb een-spee-RAHR Less Common
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Also means

to inhale

Usage Note

Inspirar covers both the figurative sense of inspiring someone (me inspira confianza = 'it inspires confidence in me') and the literal physiological sense of breathing in, making it a false friend for English speakers who only know 'inspire' as motivational. The related noun inspiración covers both senses as well.

Examples

"El maestro inspira a sus alumnos cada día."

Natural Translation

The teacher inspires his students every day.

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