hocus pocus
/okus pokus/from spelling rules
The English phrase hocus pocus is translated into Spanish as hocus pocus.
hocus pocus is a phrase used by magicians to make something seem magical or to signal a trick.
Which one should you use?
While hocus pocus can be used, the phrase abracadabra is a more common alternative used by Spanish-speaking magicians to signal a trick.
Did you know?
- The word magia is closely related to the English word 'magic' and both trace back to the ancient Persian word magu, referring to a caste of priests.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, when something disappears suddenly, people might say ¡puf!, treating the sound of air escaping as a magic word.
- Spanish speakers might use the phrase como por arte de magia to describe a situation that feels like hocus pocus but happens in real life without a magician.
Example conversation
Javier is performing a magic trick for Lucía.
- JavierMira bien, Lucía. ¡Hocus pocus!Look closely, Lucía. Hocus pocus!
- Lucía¡No puede ser! ¿Dónde está la carta?No way! Where is the card?
- JavierEstá aquí, detrás de tu oreja.It is here, behind your ear.
- Lucía¡Qué truco tan increíble, Javier!What an incredible trick, Javier!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
