fuego
/ˈfweɡo/
The Spanish word for fire (as a damaging occurrence) is fuego.
fuego is used to describe the chemical process of combustion. It can also be used metaphorically to refer to passion or intensity.
Meaning: damaging occurrence of fire (noun)
Which one should you use?
fogata refers to a bonfire or a small controlled fire used for recreational purposes. In Spain and some Latin American countries, hoguera is used when referring to a bonfire or a large fire made during celebrations.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfweɡo/
Did you know?
- The English word 'focus' and the Spanish word 'fuego' both come from the same Latin word 'focus', which originally meant a hearth.
- When calling a fire department in a Spanish-speaking country, the emergency response is often linked to the word bomberos, which refers to the firefighters rather than the 'fire' itself.
- In some cultures, the word hoguera is specifically associated with ritual or celebratory fires, such as those lit during the feast of Saint John.
Examples in context
- Fuego a mi orden.Fire on my command.This sentence is useful for seeing fuego used in a command.Tatoeba #5068591 by albrusgher, translation #3721863 by CM
- Él apagó el fuego.He extinguished the fire.This sentence shows how to describe extinguishing the fuego.Tatoeba #6165487 by marcelostockle, translation #294500 by CK
- No apagues el fuego.Don't put out the fire.This sentence shows how to give a command regarding the fuego.Tatoeba #2900928 by hayastan, translation #9881845 by DJ_Saidez
- Durante el incendio en el bosque, los bomberos trabajaron arduamente para extinguir las llamas.During the forest fire, the firefighters worked hard to extinguish the flames.
- Prendí una vela y las llamas iluminaron la habitación.I lit a candle, and the flames illuminated the room.
- Los niños asaron malvaviscos en la fogata mientras cantaban canciones.The children roasted marshmallows by the bonfire while singing songs.
- Cada año, encendemos una hoguera gigante para celebrar la Noche de San Juan.Every year, we light a giant bonfire to celebrate the Night of San Juan.
- 266 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are watching a controlled burn in the forest.
- Mateo¿Viste ese fuego en el bosque?Did you see that fire in the forest?
- LucíaSí, es un fuego controlado.Yes, it is a controlled fire.
- MateoParece muy grande.It looks very big.
- LucíaPero no es peligroso.But it is not dangerous.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fuego, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fuego, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
