Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| coincidencia | /koinθiˈdenθja/ /koinsiˈdensja/ |
feminine |
| casualidad | /kaswaliˈdad/ | feminine |
Both words describe the state of events appearing to be connected when they are not. coincidencia specifically refers to the alignment or convergence of events. In Latin America, you may encounter the term chiripa to describe a lucky or fortuitous coincidence.
Which one should you use?
While coincidencia refers to the alignment of events, casualidad is often used to mean 'by chance' or 'a fluke' and is more common in everyday conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, chiripa is used to refer to a lucky or fortuitous coincidence. In Spain, casualidad can be used in informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'by coincidence', use the prepositional phrase por coincidencia. To say 'by chance' (for example, when asking if someone happened to see something), use the phrase de casualidad. Both coincidencia and casualidad are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/koinθiˈdenθja/
When do people say it?
When you discover a coincidence, the standard reaction is to exclaim ¡Qué coincidencia!
Did you know?
- The word coincidir is the verb form of coincidencia, and it is frequently used in Spanish to mean 'to agree' or 'to be in agreement' with someone.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a surprising coincidence is sometimes attributed to será cosa del destino, meaning it is a matter of fate rather than random chance.
- The term casualidad shares the same etymological root as the English word 'casual', as both derive from the Latin 'casus' meaning 'a fall' or 'an event'.
Examples in context
- No es una coincidencia.It's not a coincidence.This sentence shows how to negate a coincidence using coincidencia.Tatoeba #1746950 by Shishir, translation #1745635 by Spamster
- No fue una coincidencia.It wasn't a coincidence.This sentence shows how to use the past tense with coincidencia.Tatoeba #1125067 by Shishir, translation #1124634 by Scott
- Solo fue una coincidencia.It was just a coincidence.This sentence shows how to use the word coincidencia to describe something that was just a coincidence.Tatoeba #1530488 by marcelostockle, translation #1530289 by CK
- ¡Qué chiripa haberte encontrado aquí!What a stroke of luck to have found you here!
- Vaya casualidad encontrarte en este lugar tan inesperado.What a coincidence to run into you in such an unexpected place.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena bump into each other at a cafe.
- Alejandro¡Elena! ¡Qué coincidencia verte hoy!Elena! What a coincidence to see you today!
- Elena¡Hola, Alejandro! Es una coincidencia increíble.Hi, Alejandro! It is an incredible coincidence.
- Alejandro¿Vienes seguido a este lugar?Do you come to this place often?
- ElenaNo, es la primera vez.No, it is the first time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coincidence” translations and entries coincidencia, casualidad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries casualidad, coincidencia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
