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azar

ah-SAHR/ or /ah-THARaˈθaɾ

“azar” means “chance” in Spanish (unpredictable outcome).

chance, luck

Also: randomness, hazard
NounmB1
Mexico
A brightly colored storybook illustration showing a large six-sided die frozen mid-roll in the air just before landing, symbolizing chance.

📝 In Action

La lotería depende del puro azar.

B1

The lottery depends on pure chance.

Encontré mi viejo libro por azar en la librería.

B2

I found my old book by chance in the bookstore.

Elegimos el ganador al azar de entre todos los participantes.

B1

We chose the winner at random from all the participants.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • al azar – at random
  • por azar – by chance
  • juegos de azar – games of chance (gambling)

Idioms & Expressions

  • dejar algo al azar – to leave something to chance

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "azar" in Spanish:

chance→hazard→luck→randomness→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: azar

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase correctly means 'We chose the color at random'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
azaroso(hazardous, risky) — Adjective
arriesgar(to risk, to venture) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Arabic *az-zahr*, which literally meant 'the die' (a single dice cube). It traveled through Spanish and other Romance languages, evolving from the physical object used for games into the abstract concept of chance and luck itself.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: azarFrench (via Old French): hasard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'azar' positive or negative?

'Azar' is neutral. It simply describes something unpredictable. It can lead to good things ('buena suerte' or 'buen azar') or bad things ('mala suerte').

How is 'azar' different from 'suerte'?

'Azar' is the abstract concept of randomness or chance itself. 'Suerte' is the outcome of that chance, usually translated as 'luck' (good or bad). Think of 'azar' as the force and 'suerte' as the result.