quemar
/keˈmaɾ/
To burn in Spanish is quemar.
The verb is used to describe consuming, injuring or changing the condition of something through fire or heat. You can use the transitive form quemar to say you are burning an object, such as burning wood or a document. If you are describing the process of something burning until it turns into carbon or ashes, the specific term is carbonizarse. To describe something that has been burnt, use the word quemado or quemada. If you are referring to a physical burn on the skin, the noun is quemadura.
Meaning: to consume, injure, or change the condition of, as if by action of fire or heat (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Latin America, especially Mexico and South America, the word quemazón may be used informally to refer to a sensation of burning or extreme heat. The phrase sensación de quemazón is used to mean a burning sensation.
How does it change in a sentence?
When a person burns themselves, such as through a sunburn or a kitchen accident, use the reflexive form quemarse.
How do you pronounce it?
/keˈmaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the expression quemar las naves means to commit oneself to a course of action by making retreat impossible. It refers to Hernán Cortés burning his ships in 1519 to prevent his men from returning to Cuba.
- The word quemar can be used as slang for 'outing' someone or exposing a secret about them. If you quemas someone, you are effectively blowing their cover.
- The word quemar traces its lineage back to the Latin 'cremare', making it a direct relative of the English word 'cremate'.
Examples in context
- No te vayas a quemar.Be careful not to burn yourself.This sentence is useful for using quemar.Tatoeba #3175966 by marcelostockle, translation #2733126 by CK
- Esta madera no se quiere quemar.This wood won't burn.Tatoeba #6985855 by cueyayotl, translation #56767 by CK
- El cielo te va a quemar los ojos.Heaven is going to burn your eyes.Tatoeba #9059707 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9059713 by rafaeldejesus8199
- El libro se quemó en el incendio.The book burned in the fire.
- La vela ardía lentamente.The candle was burning slowly.
- El bosque se carbonizó después del incendio.The forest burned down after the fire.
- Me quemé al tocar la estufa caliente.I burned myself when touching the hot stove.
- ¡Cuidado con la silla, está ardiendo!Be careful with the chair, it's burning hot!
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen while cooking.
- LucíaCuidado, el aceite se puede quemar.Be careful, the oil can burn.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Lucía, yo lo controlo.Don't worry, Lucía, I have it under control.
- LucíaEs que el fuego es muy fuerte.It's just that the fire is very strong.
- AlejandroEstá bien, bajaré la intensidad ahora.Alright, I will lower the heat now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry quemar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quemar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
