flash
/flash/
flash
The sudden burst of photographic light, or 'flash.'
📝 In Action
Olvidé encender el flash para la foto nocturna.
A2I forgot to turn on the flash for the night photo.
Necesitas un flash externo si quieres fotos de estudio.
B1You need an external flash if you want studio photos.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Rule for Anglicisms
Even though 'flash' is an imported English word, Spanish nouns are either masculine or feminine. 'Flash' takes the masculine article 'el' (el flash).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "La flash"
Correction: El flash. Since it refers to the sudden light/device, it is masculine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Pronunciation Tip
Many Spanish speakers pronounce this word closer to the English sound, but be sure to use the Spanish 'a' sound, which is like the 'a' in 'father'.
An urgent breaking news report, referred to as a 'news flash.'
📝 In Action
Interrumpimos la programación para un flash informativo.
B1We interrupt programming for a news flash.
Todo sucedió en un flash; no tuve tiempo de reaccionar.
B2Everything happened in an instant; I didn't have time to react.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'en un flash'
This phrase is a quick way to say something happened very fast or instantly, similar to saying 'in the blink of an eye'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Alternatives
In formal writing or broadcasting, 'última hora' or 'noticia de último momento' are often preferred over the anglicism 'flash informativo'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: flash
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'flash' to mean a sudden news report?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'flash' a proper Spanish word or an Anglicism?
'Flash' is considered an anglicism (a word borrowed from English). While commonly used and accepted, many purists prefer Spanish alternatives like 'destello' (for light) or 'última hora' (for news).