mechero
/meˈt͡ʃeɾo/Spain, masculine
The Spanish word for lighter is mechero. Wiktionary also lists encendedor and briquet.
Meaning: fire-making device (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mechero | /meˈt͡ʃeɾo/ | Spain, masculine |
| encendedor | /enθendeˈdoɾ/ /ensendeˈdoɾ/ |
masculine |
| briquet | /bɾiˈke/ | Colombia, masculine |
| fosforera | /fosfoˈɾeɾa/ | Cuba, feminine |
| lighter | /ˈlaiteɾ/ | Panama, Puerto Rico, masculine |
| yesquero | /ʝesˈkeɾo/ | Venezuela, masculine |
What does it mean word for word?
The term encendedor is derived from the verb encender, which means 'to turn on' or 'to ignite'.
Which one should you use?
While encendedor is a neutral term used widely across many Spanish-speaking countries, mechero is the specific term used in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Several terms are used depending on the location: mechero is used in Spain, briquet in Colombia, fosforera in Cuba, lighter in Panama and Puerto Rico and yesquero in Venezuela. Note that in Argentina, the word fósforo (which means 'match') is commonly used to refer to lighters.
How does it change in a sentence?
encendedor, briquet, lighter, mechero and yesquero are masculine nouns, while fosforera is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈtʃeɾo/
Did you know?
- The term briquet used in Colombia is a direct linguistic descendant of the French word briquet, showcasing the historical influence of French on certain South American vocabularies.
- The word mechero in Spain is related to the verb mechar, which can refer to the act of adding wicks to candles or even the process of hair styling.
- In Venezuela, the specific term yesquero is used, which is derived from yesca, the word for 'tinder'.
Examples in context
- Estaba jugando con un encendedor.He was playing with a lighter.This sentence shows someone playing with an encendedor.Tatoeba #1441508 by marcelostockle, translation #47506 by CK
- Señor, se ha dejado el mechero sobre la mesa.Sir, you have left your lighter on the table.This sentence is useful for pointing out that someone left their mechero on a table.Tatoeba #720472 by Shishir, translation #64667 by CK
- Él se palpó el bolsillo en busca de su mechero.He felt in his pocket for his lighter.This sentence describes someone searching for their mechero in a pocket.Tatoeba #1596450 by Shishir, translation #292727 by CK
- ¿Tiene usted algún encendedor?Do you have a lighter?
- Pásame el mechero, por favor.Pass me the lighter, please.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are outdoors and want to light a candle.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿tienes un mechero?Alejandro, do you have a lighter?
- AlejandroNo, no llevo ninguno conmigo.No, I don't have one with me.
- MaríaQué mal, yo también he perdido el mechero.That's too bad, I've lost my lighter too.
- AlejandroBusquemos a alguien que tenga uno.Let's look for someone who has one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lighter” translations and entries mechero, encendedor, briquet, fosforera, lighter, yesquero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries briquet, encendedor, fosforera, lighter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
