excitar

Excitar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese with meanings related to causing excitement or stimulation. In both languages, it can refer to arousing emotions, provoking a reaction, or physically stimulating nerves or senses. It can be transitive, as in prompting interest or response, and, in reflexive form, excitarse, it can denote becoming excited or aroused. The term appears in formal and informal registers, with nuances depending on context.

Etymology and cognates: excitar derives from Latin excitare, meaning to rouse, wake up, or stir up. The word has parallels in other Romance languages and shares a common root with terms such as excite, excitação, and excitation. Its usage often overlaps with synonyms like estimular, provocar, or despertar, depending on tone and purpose.

Usage notes: In Spanish, examples include “La noticia excitó a la audiencia” (the news excited the audience) and “eso excitó su curiosidad” (that aroused his curiosity). In Portuguese, one may hear “A notícia excitou os fãs” or “O estímulo excitou os nervos” in a neutral, non-sexual sense. The reflexive form excitarse carries broader senses, including emotional agitation or sexual arousal in informal speech, so speakers may choose more neutral alternatives such as estimular or despertar in formal contexts.