ascua
/ˈaskwa/feminine
The English word 'ember' can be translated into Spanish using several terms, most commonly brasa or ascua. Wiktionary also lists rescaldo (disused) and borrajo.
Meaning: glowing piece of coal or wood (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ascua | /ˈaskwa/ | feminine |
| brasa | /ˈbɾasa/ | feminine |
| rescaldo (disused) | masculine | |
| borrajo | /boraxo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
All these terms refer to a glowing piece of coal or wood. ascua is often used to describe the intense, bright glow or a single spark of heat.
Which one should you use?
While both mean ember, brasa is the most common word used for a glowing piece of coal or wood in a fire, whereas ascua often refers to the intense, bright glow or a single spark of heat. The masculine terms rescaldo and borrajo are different, with rescaldo being disused.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the most common term for ember is brasas. Both brasa and ascua are feminine nouns, while rescaldo and borrajo are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaskwa/
Did you know?
- While brasa refers to the ember itself, the expression dar la brasa means to annoy or pester someone incessantly.
- In Spanish, the word rescaldo describes both the warmth remaining in a fire and the 'aftermath' or 'residue' of a social or political conflict.
- The term brasa shares a common root with the English word 'brazier', a portable heater that uses burning coals.
Examples in context
- El fuego se extinguía lentamente, pero las brasas aún emitían un cálido resplandor.The fire was slowly dying out, but the embers still emitted a warm glow.
- La ascua todavía quema mucho.The ember is still very hot.
- Cuidado con esa ascua roja.Watch out for that red ember.
- Una pequeña ascua cayó al suelo.A small ember fell to the ground.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are cleaning up after a campfire.
- AlejandroLucía, mira esa ascua roja.Lucía, look at that red ember.
- LucíaTengo que apagarla con agua.I have to put it out with water.
- AlejandroTen cuidado de no quemarte.Be careful not to burn yourself.
- LucíaYa está, la ascua se apagó.There, the ember is out now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ember” translations and entries ascua, brasa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ascua, brasa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
