impresionar
Lemma Details
Translation: to impress; to impact; to affect; to move emotionally
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From French 'impressionner', derived from Latin 'impressio' (impression, impact) which comes from 'imprimere' (to press into, imprint), from 'in-' (into) + 'premere' (to press). The English cognate 'impress' shares the same Latin roots, making this an easy connection for English speakers. The word captures the idea of making a mark or impression on someone's mind or emotions.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Su discurso impresionó a todos los presentes.
His speech impressed everyone present.
La película me impresionó profundamente.
The movie deeply impressed me.
Quiere impresionar a sus nuevos compañeros de trabajo.
He wants to impress his new coworkers.
Las vistas desde la montaña nos impresionaron.
The views from the mountain impressed us.
Mnemonics
- Think of leaving an 'impression' on someone - the words are nearly identical
- Imagine pressing (premere) your influence into someone's mind
- Picture someone being so impressed that they're pressed back in their seat
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'impresionar' is commonly used in social contexts to describe making a good impression on others, particularly in first meetings, job interviews, or social gatherings. It's also frequently used to describe emotional reactions to art, performances, or natural wonders.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'impresionar' means 'to impress' or 'to impact someone emotionally', 'expresar' means 'to express' or 'to communicate feelings or thoughts'.
Notes: The prefix 'im-' (in) in 'impresionar' suggests something going in (making an impression on someone), while 'ex-' (out) in 'expresar' suggests something coming out (expressing outward).
Mnemonic: 'Impresionar' is about making an impression ON others; 'expresar' is about pushing something OUT from yourself.
Explanation: 'Impresionar' refers to making an emotional or mental impression, while 'imprimir' means 'to print' or 'to publish'.
Notes: Both share the same Latin root 'imprimere' (to press into), but have evolved to describe different types of impressions.
Mnemonic: 'Impresionar' impresses minds; 'imprimir' impresses ink on paper.