escupir fuego
/eskupiɾ fweɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "breathe fire" can be translated into Spanish as escupir fuego.
This phrase describes the act of exhaling flames from the mouth, as a dragon or a performer does.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase escupir fuego literally translates to "to spit fire".
Which one should you use?
You can also use the formal exhalar llamas or the informal echar fuego por la boca.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskupiɾ fweɡo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, saying someone is escupiendo fuego can be a metaphor for being extremely angry or shouting in a rage, rather than literally breathing flames.
- The Spanish word fuego is a cognate of the English word 'focus', as both originally referred to a hearth or fireplace.
- In some regions, the phrase echar fuego can be used colloquially to describe a very spicy food that feels like it is burning the mouth.
Examples in context
- El dragón asustaba a los aldeanos al echar fuego por su boca.The dragon scared the villagers by breathing fire from its mouth.
- El monstruo mitológico exhala llamas por sus fosas nasales.The mythological creature breathes fire through its nostrils.
- Después de escuchar la noticia, Juan estaba tan furioso que parecía que iba a echar fuego por la boca.After hearing the news, Juan was so furious that it seemed like he was going to breathe fire.
- ¡Cuidado con Ana cuando se enfada! Es capaz de echar llamas por la boca.Beware of Ana when she gets angry! She is capable of breathing fire.
- El dragón escupe fuego por la boca.The dragon breathes fire from its mouth.
- El dragón puede escupir fuego.The dragon can breathe fire.
- Ese artista sabe escupir fuego.That performer knows how to breathe fire.
- No quiero ver a alguien escupir fuego.I don't want to see someone breathe fire.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are watching a circus performance.
- ElenaMira, ¡el hombre va a escupir fuego!Look, the man is going to breathe fire!
- DanielEs increíble, pero parece muy peligroso.It's incredible, but it looks very dangerous.
- ElenaSí, requiere mucha práctica y control.Yes, it requires a lot of practice and control.
- DanielMe pregunto cómo lo hace, Daniel.I wonder how he does it, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escupir, fuego, CC BY-SA 4.0.
