fuego
/fwe-go/
fire
The primary meaning of fuego is the element of fire or a blaze.
📝 In Action
Cuidado, el fuego está muy caliente.
A1Be careful, the fire is very hot.
Los bomberos apagaron el fuego del edificio.
A2The firefighters put out the building fire.
Para cocinar, necesitamos hacer un fuego.
A2To cook, we need to make a fire.
Mi abuela cocina a fuego lento.
B1My grandmother cooks on low heat.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it doesn't end in -o, 'fuego' is a masculine word. So, you always say 'el fuego' (the fire) and 'un fuego' (a fire).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Fuego' vs. 'Calor'
Mistake: "El sol da mucho fuego."
Correction: El sol da mucho calor. Use 'fuego' for the actual flame or blaze. Use 'calor' for the heat you feel from the fire, the sun, or the temperature.
Figuratively, fuego can mean strong emotion, intensity, or passion.
📝 In Action
Habló con el fuego de un verdadero líder.
B2He spoke with the passion of a true leader.
Tenía fuego en la mirada.
B2She had a fire in her eyes.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Emotion
Just like in English, you can use 'fuego' to talk about powerful emotions. It's a great way to make your Spanish sound more descriptive and advanced.
As an interjection, ¡Fuego! is a command, often used in a military context to signal the firing of a weapon.
fuego(Interjection)
Fire!
?a command to shoot a weapon
Fire!
?a warning that something is burning
📝 In Action
¡Preparen, apunten, fuego!
B1Ready, aim, fire!
¡Fuego! ¡Todos fuera del edificio ahora!
A2Fire! Everybody out of the building now!
⭐ Usage Tips
Pay Attention to Context
When someone yells '¡Fuego!', the situation tells you everything. In a movie about soldiers, it means 'shoot'. In your kitchen, it means grab the fire extinguisher!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fuego
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'fuego' to mean 'passion' or 'intensity'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'fuego' and 'incendio'?
'Fuego' is the general word for fire, big or small. An 'incendio' is specifically a large, destructive, and out-of-control fire, like a forest fire or a house fire that requires firefighters.
How do I say something is 'on fire'?
You can say it 'está en llamas' (is in flames) or that 'se está quemando' (it is burning). If you're talking about a large fire, you would say 'hay un incendio'.
Is there a verb form of 'fuego'?
No, 'fuego' is only a noun and an interjection. There isn't a verb that comes directly from it. To express the idea of setting fire, you would use phrases like 'prender fuego' or 'incendiar'.