Inklingo
← Dictionary

fugaz

foo-GAHS/fuˈɡas/

“fugaz” means “fleeting” in Spanish (lasting for a very short time).

fleeting

Also: brief, short-lived
Adjectivem or fB1
A bright shooting star with a glowing trail streaking across a dark blue starry night sky.

📝 In Action

Vimos una estrella fugaz en el cielo nocturno.

A2

We saw a shooting star in the night sky.

Fue un encuentro fugaz, pero muy especial.

B1

It was a fleeting encounter, but very special.

Sentí una alegría fugaz al recibir la noticia.

B2

I felt a fleeting joy upon hearing the news.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • efímero (ephemeral/short-lived)
  • breve (brief)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estrella fugaz – shooting star
  • momento fugaz – fleeting moment
  • visita fugaz – flying visit / brief visit

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "fugaz" in Spanish:

brief→fleeting→short-lived→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: fugaz

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'shooting star' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
fuga(escape/leak) — Noun
fugacidad(fleetingness) — Noun
fugarse(to run away/escape) — Verb
fugitivo(fugitive) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'fugax', which comes from 'fugere', meaning 'to flee' or 'to run away'. This is why it describes things that seem to run away quickly.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: fugaciousFrench: fugace

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'fugaz' the same as 'rápido'?

Not exactly. 'Rápido' means fast (speed), while 'fugaz' means fleeting (duration). A car is 'rápido', but a lightning strike is 'fugaz' because it disappears almost instantly.

Does 'fugaz' change for feminine nouns?

No, it stays 'fugaz' for both masculine and feminine nouns. For example: 'un pensamiento fugaz' and 'una idea fugaz'.

Can I use 'fugaz' for people?

Usually, it describes actions, moments, or things. If you describe a person as 'fugaz', it means they didn't stay around for long, not that they move fast physically.