Inklingo
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chispa

/chees-pah/

spark

A single bright orange spark jumping from a campfire.

A 'chispa' is a tiny spark of fire.

chispa(noun)

fA2

spark

?

a tiny bit of fire or electricity

Also:

fleck

?

a tiny particle

📝 In Action

Una chispa de la chimenea saltó a la alfombra.

A2

A spark from the fireplace jumped onto the rug.

Ten cuidado, esa herramienta suelta muchas chispas.

B1

Be careful, that tool lets off a lot of sparks.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • centella (flash/spark)

Antonyms

  • llamarada (blaze)

Common Collocations

  • saltar una chispa – to fly a spark
  • chispa eléctrica – electric spark

Idioms & Expressions

  • echar chispas – to be very angry

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Even though it ends in 'a' and is feminine, remember that if you use the word 'chispazo' (a big spark), the gender changes to masculine.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Spark vs Fire

Mistake: "Using 'chispa' to mean a whole fire."

Correction: Use 'chispa' only for the tiny glowing dots that fly out; use 'fuego' for the fire itself.

⭐ Usage Tips

Angry Sparks

When someone is 'echando chispas', imagine them so mad that sparks are flying off them like a broken machine!

A cheerful fox with a clever, funny expression and a lightbulb glowing above its head.

In Spanish, 'chispa' can also describe someone's wit or cleverness.

chispa(noun)

fB1

wit

?

being funny and clever

,

sparkle

?

liveliness in personality

Also:

grace

?

charm or flair

📝 In Action

Me gusta su estilo, tiene mucha chispa.

B1

I like her style, she has a lot of sparkle/wit.

Sus chistes no tienen ninguna chispa.

B2

His jokes don't have any wit/life.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ingenio (wit/cleverness)
  • gracia (grace/humor)

Antonyms

  • sosería (dullness)

Common Collocations

  • tener mucha chispa – to be very witty/lively

💡 Grammar Points

Describing People

When describing a person's character, we use the verb 'tener' (to have) with chispa, rather than 'ser' (to be).

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'Vibe' of Chispa

Think of this as that 'special something' that makes someone fun to be around. It's not just being funny; it's being bright and engaging.

A single green sprout growing out of a vast, dry desert.

A 'chispa' can represent a tiny trace or small amount of something, like hope.

chispa(noun)

fB2

trace

?

a tiny amount of a feeling or quality

Also:

bit

?

a small shred

📝 In Action

Todavía queda una chispa de esperanza en sus ojos.

B2

There is still a trace of hope in his eyes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ápice (iota/trace)
  • pizca (pinch/tiny bit)

Antonyms

  • abundancia (abundance)

Common Collocations

  • una chispa de esperanza – a glimmer of hope
  • una chispa de ingenio – a flash of genius

⭐ Usage Tips

Abstract Ideas

This meaning is almost always followed by the word 'de' and an abstract noun like 'esperanza' (hope) or 'inteligencia' (intelligence).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: chispa

Question 1 of 2

If your boss is 'echando chispas', what should you probably do?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

chispear(to drizzle or to spark) - verb
chispeante(sparkling/witty) - adjective
chispazo(large spark or electric shock) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'chispa' always mean a fire spark?

No! While it started with fire, it's actually more common in daily Spanish to use it when talking about someone's funny personality or to say someone is very angry.

Is it the same as 'brillo' (brightness)?

Not quite. 'Brillo' is a steady shine, whereas 'chispa' is a sudden, energetic burst, whether it's light or a clever comment.