en llamas
/en ˈʝamas/
To say 'on fire' in Spanish, use en llamas. Wiktionary also lists en fuego.
Meaning: being burned by fire (prep_phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| en llamas | /en ˈʝamas/ |
| en fuego | /en ˈfweɡo/ |
These phrases are used to describe something that is currently being burned by fire.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase en llamas literally translates to 'in flames'.
Which one should you use?
While you may encounter en fuego, the much more common and natural way to express that something is 'on fire' is to use en llamas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase en llamas is an adverbial phrase, which means it does not change its form to agree with the gender or number of the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/en ˈʝamas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying en fuego as a literal translation of 'on fire' (which would mean 'in fire'). Instead, use the idiomatic en llamas when describing a burning object.
Did you know?
- In English, the word 'focus' refers to a center of attention, but it originates from the Latin word for 'hearth', the same root as fuego.
- In Spanish, the word fuego has a historical twin called foco. While both come from the Latin word for 'hearth', foco is now used primarily to refer to a 'light bulb' or a 'focus' of infection.
Examples in context
- ¡La cama está en llamas!The bed is on fire!This sentence is useful for expressing the urgency of a bed being en llamas.Tatoeba #2502408 by marcelostockle, translation #2499059 by Hybrid
- El techo está en llamas.The roof is on fire.This sentence shows how to describe a roof that is en llamas.Tatoeba #6671669 by arh, translation #6670001 by CK
- El edificio está en llamas.The building is on fire.This sentence demonstrates the use of en llamas regarding a building.Tatoeba #2571735 by hayastan, translation #1739754 by CM
- El bosque está en llamasThe forest is on fire.
- Mi equipo de fútbol está en llamasMy soccer team is on fire.
- ¡Esa banda de rock está que arde!That rock band is on fire!
- Ella baila en el escenario, y está en llamas de pasiónShe dances on stage, and she's on fire with passion.
- Los estudiantes están con todo en su proyectoThe students are on fire with their project.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are in the kitchen when a towel catches fire.
- Alejandro¡Mira, el trapo está en llamas!Look, the cloth is on fire!
- María¡Rápido, trae el extintor, Alejandro!Quick, bring the extinguisher, Alejandro!
- Alejandro¡Ya voy, María!I'm coming, María!
- MaríaDate prisa, ¡todo puede quedar en llamas!Hurry up, everything could go up in flames!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “on fire” translations and entries en llamas, en fuego, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, en fuego, fuego, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
