1. 鼓舞 (gǔ wǔ): This is the most common and general translation for "inspire" in the sense of encouraging or motivating someone. It literally means "to drum up" or "to rouse."
2. 激励 (jī lì): This translation emphasizes the idea of stimulating or motivating someone to take action. It literally means "to stimulate and encourage."
3. 启发 (qǐ fā): This translation emphasizes the idea of illuminating or enlightening someone, leading them to new ideas or insights. It literally means "to open up" or "to enlighten."
4. 灵感 (líng gǎn): This translation refers to the inspiration itself, the spark of creativity or an idea. It literally means "inspiration."
5. 启迪 (qǐ dí): This translation is similar to "启发" but emphasizes the idea of guiding someone towards understanding or wisdom. It literally means "to enlighten and guide."
The best translation for "inspire" depends on the specific context. For example, if you are talking about a speech that motivated a crowd, you could use "鼓舞" or "激励." If you are talking about a painting that sparked an artist's creativity, you could use "灵感" or "启发."
Ultimately, the best way to choose the right translation is to consider the specific meaning you want to convey and the context in which you are using the word.