empujar
/empuˈxaɾ/
The English verb 'push' is translated into Spanish as empujar. Wiktionary also lists embutar and emburriar.
Meaning: to apply a force to something so that it moves away (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| empujar | /empuˈxaɾ/ | |
| embutar | /embutaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| emburriar | /emburjaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| embutiar | /embutjaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Spain |
The primary way to express applying force to an object to move it away is using empujar. This is the opposite of tirar, which means to pull. Related nouns include empujón, empuje and empujo, which all refer to a great effort.
Which one should you use?
While empujar is the standard verb for to push, the noun empujón specifically refers to a single act of pushing or a shove and the noun pujo refers to the act of tensing abdominal muscles to expel contents.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form embutiar is used in Spain.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form for the continuous action of pushing is empujando. If you want to say 'I pushed' in the past tense, use the first-person singular preterite form empujé.
How do you pronounce it?
/empuˈxaɾ/
Did you know?
- While empujar is the standard word for pushing, embutir (a relative of embutiar) is used for pushing meat into a casing to make sausages. In Spanish, sausages are called embutidos because they are literally 'pushed-in' foods.
- The verb empujar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'impulse'. Both words trace their ancestry back to the Latin 'pulsāre', which originally meant 'to strike' or 'to shake'.
- The term empujón can describe more than just a single physical shove. It is often used to describe the collective, chaotic force experienced when being pushed by a crowd in a stadium or concert.
Examples in context
- Tom intentó empujar a Mary al agua.Tom tried to push Mary into the water.This sentence shows the use of empujar to describe pushing a person.Tatoeba #7310256 by dfrankmv, translation #3476849 by Hybrid
- Tienes que empujar esa puerta para abrirla.You have to push that door to open it.This sentence shows how to use empujar when instructing someone to open a door.Tatoeba #1637372 by teskmon, translation #1326114 by CK
- Haga el favor de empujar la mesa hacia aquí.Please push the table over this way.This sentence uses empujar to request moving furniture.Tatoeba #2267654 by cueyayotl, translation #2267653 by _undertoad
- Por favor, empuje la puertaPlease, push the door
- Por favor, presione el botónPlease, press the button
- Por favor, empuje con cuidadoPlease, push gently
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are trying to move a heavy box in a hallway.
- Elena¡Ayúdame a empujar la caja, Alejandro!Help me push the box, Alejandro!
- AlejandroEstá muy pesada, pero voy a empujar.It is very heavy, but I will push.
- ElenaEmpuja con más fuerza hacia la izquierda.Push harder to the left.
- Alejandro¡Listo! Ya se está moviendo.Ready! It is already moving.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “push” translations and entries empujar, embutar, emburriar, embutiar, 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 emburriar, empujar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
