Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| inspirar a | /inspiɾaɾ a/ (from spelling rules) |
| facultar | /fakulˈtaɾ/ |
| empoderar | /empodeˈɾaɾ/ |
To empower can be expressed in several ways depending on the context. Empoderar is used when referring to social or psychological empowerment, such as increasing someone's agency or self-confidence. In legal or official settings, facultar is used to convey the granting of authority or permission. The phrase Dar poder a is a literal way to say "to give power to" and can also express the concept of empowering.
Which one should you use?
Empoderar is the standard choice for social or psychological contexts regarding self-confidence and agency. In contrast, facultar is used in legal or formal contexts to mean giving someone the official authority or faculty to perform a task.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Colombia, the verb capacitar can be used as an alternative to express the idea of empowering, though it often carries the sense of training or capacitating.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using empoderar with a direct object that represents a person, you should include the preposition a (the personal "a") before the person being empowered, resulting in empoderar a (someone).
How do you pronounce it?
/empodeˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word empoderar is a linguistic 'calque', meaning it was directly modeled after the English word 'empower' rather than evolving naturally from ancient Spanish roots.
- The word inspirar comes from the Latin 'spīrō', which means 'to breathe', suggesting that empowering someone is like breathing life into them.
- The root of empoderar is poder, which functions as both a verb meaning 'to be able' and a noun meaning 'power'.
Examples in context
- La empresa busca empoderar a sus empleadosThe company seeks to empower its employees
- El líder dio poder a su equipo para tomar decisiones importantesThe leader empowered his team to make important decisions
- Mis amigos me fortalecieron durante momentos difícilesMy friends empowered me during tough times
- Mi hermana me da fuerza para seguir adelanteMy sister empowers me to move forward
- Empodéralos y verás cómo florecenEmpower them and you'll see how they flourish
- Animemos a las mujeres a buscar roles de liderazgo, dándoles poder y apoyando sus ambicionesLet's encourage women to pursue leadership roles by giving them power and supporting their ambitions
- A lo largo de la historia, muchos movimientos han luchado por empoderar a las comunidades marginadasThroughout history, many movements have fought to empower marginalized communities
- Debemos empoderar a las mujeres en el trabajo.We must empower women at work.
- El objetivo es empoderar a la comunidad.The goal is to empower the community.
- Ese discurso sirve para empoderar a los jóvenes.That speech serves to empower young people.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a new social project.
- Daniel¿Cómo podemos ayudar a este grupo?How can we help this group?
- SofíaNecesitamos empoderar a los líderes locales.We need to empower the local leaders.
- DanielEs una idea excelente, Sofía.That is an excellent idea, Sofía.
- SofíaSí, eso les dará más fuerza.Yes, that will give them more strength.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “empower” translations and entries facultar, empoderar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, empoderar, inspirar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
