vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Impresionar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to impress", and "influir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to influence". Learn more about the difference between "impresionar" and "influir" below.
impresionar(
eem
-
preh
-
syoh
-
nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to impress
Trabajé muy duro este mes para impresionar a mi nuevo jefe.I worked very hard this month to impress my new boss.
a. to move
Esa historia triste que me contaste me impresionó mucho.That sad story you told me really moved me.
b. to shock
Me impresionó ver el estado en que quedó la casa después del incendio.I was shocked to see the state of the house after the fire.
c. to affect
Nos impresionó mucho la muerte de la hija de nuestros vecinos.We were deeply affected by the death of our neighbors' daughter.
a. to expose
Ahora que hemos impresionado la película, tenemos que procesarla.Now that we have exposed the film, we need to process it.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to make an impression
Me siento preparada y lista para impresionar en la entrevista.I feel ready and prepared to make an impression at the interview.
b. to impress
Eufemia se viste con ropa carísima, y nada más lo hace para impresionar.Eufemia wears really expensive clothes, and she does it just to impress.
impresionarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be impressed
Me impresioné al escuchar la voz tan linda que tiene Sonia.I was impressed when I heard Sonia's beautiful singing voice.
a. to be moved
Carlos se impresionó mucho cuando vio las fotos de los desplazados.Carlos was very moved when he saw the photos of the refugees.
b. to be shocked
Me impresioné terriblemente al oír la mala noticia del terremoto.I was totally shocked when I heard the terrible news of the earthquake.
influir(
een
-
flweer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to influence
El lenguaje influye en nuestra percepción de la realidad.Language influences our perception of reality.
a. to have an influence
Una alimentación saludable influye positivamente en el crecimiento de un niño.A healthy diet has a positive influence on a child's growth.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to influence
Le influye demasiado la opinión de los demás.She's too influenced by other people's views.
