fallo de encendido
/faʝo de enθendido/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'misfire' translates to Spanish as fallo de encendido.
This term is used to describe a failure to achieve an anticipated result.
Meaning: To fail to achieve the anticipated result (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
/faʝo de enθendido/
Did you know?
- In a metaphorical sense, if a plan 'misfires', a Spanish speaker might say salio el tiro por la culata, which literally means 'the shot came out through the breech'.
- The word fallo is used in Spanish law to refer to the final verdict or decision of a judge, regardless of whether that decision was a mistake.
- In Spain, encendido describes not only the act of ignition but also the bright red color of a face when someone is blushing or angry.
Examples in context
- La fiesta resultó ser un completo chasco, sin diversión alguna.The party turned out to be a complete misfire, with no fun at all.
- Su intento de seducción patinó totalmente.His attempt at seduction completely misfired.
- El chiste que contó en la reunión patinó y nadie rió.The joke he told at the meeting fell flat, nobody laughed.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing a marketing project.
- SofíaLa publicidad no funcionó como esperábamos.The advertisement didn't work as we expected.
- JavierSí, fue un fallo de encendido.Yes, it was a misfire.
- Sofía¿Qué podemos hacer ahora, Javier?What can we do now, Javier?
- JavierTenemos que cambiar la estrategia pronto.We have to change the strategy soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
