apagón
“apagón” means “blackout” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
blackout, power outage
Also: power cut
📝 In Action
Hubo un apagón anoche y tuvimos que usar velas.
A2There was a blackout last night and we had to use candles.
El apagón afectó a tres barrios de la ciudad.
B1The power outage affected three neighborhoods in the city.
La tormenta causó un apagón masivo que duró horas.
B2The storm caused a massive blackout that lasted for hours.
blackout
Also: shutdown
📝 In Action
Hubo un apagón informativo sobre la huelga.
B2There was a news blackout regarding the strike.
El apagón analógico ocurrió hace varios años.
C1The analog (TV) shutdown happened several years ago.
Muchos usuarios protestaron por el apagón de las redes sociales.
C1Many users protested the social media blackout.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: apagón
Question 1 of 3
What is the most common meaning of 'un apagón'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Spanish verb 'apagar' (to extinguish or turn off), which comes from the Latin 'pacare' meaning 'to quiet or pacify.' The suffix '-ón' was added to denote a sudden, singular event.
First recorded: 19th century (related to gas lighting systems)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'apagón' different from 'corte de luz'?
They are very similar. 'Apagón' refers to the event of the power going out, while 'corte de luz' is more literally 'a cut of light.' Both are used interchangeably in most situations.
Can I use 'apagón' for a candle being blown out?
No, 'apagón' is for large-scale events like a building or city losing power. For a candle, you would just use the verb 'apagar' (to blow out/extinguish).
Why does it end in '-ón'?
In Spanish, '-ón' is a suffix that can indicate a big or sudden action. In this case, it turns the action of 'turning off' (apagar) into a 'big sudden turn-off' (apagón).