inspire
Definitions
To fill someone with the urge or energy to do or feel something.
激励，鼓舞（使人产生做某事的冲动或动力）。
To give rise to a creative idea or feeling; to be the source of.
赋予灵感；引发（某种想法或情感）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (in) + spire (breathe) = 'to breathe into.' The old picture is a god or muse breathing an idea straight into a person's chest. That divine breath became everyday motivation: when something inspires you, it breathes energy and ideas into you and fills you up.
Root spir still carries 34 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.inspire confidence激发信心
- 2.inspire someone to do激励某人做某事
- 3.draw inspiration from从…中汲取灵感
- 4.deeply inspiring深受鼓舞的
Example Sentences
- 1.
Her courage inspired the whole community to take action.
- 2.
The mountains inspired him to start painting again.
- 3.
A good teacher can inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Easily Confused
inspire vs encourage — encourage is to give someone the confidence or push to do something (encourage her to apply). inspire is stronger and more emotional: it fills someone with energy or ideas, often by example (his story inspired me). You encourage a hesitant person; you are inspired by something admirable.