incendio
/een-SEN-dee-oh/
fire
The primary meaning of incendio is a large, destructive fire or blaze.
incendio(noun)
fire
?large, destructive blaze
blaze
?large fire
,conflagration
?very large, intense fire
📝 In Action
El incendio forestal tardó tres días en controlarse.
A2The forest fire took three days to control.
Llamaron a los bomberos inmediatamente después de ver el incendio.
A1They called the firefighters immediately after seeing the blaze.
Afortunadamente, el edificio solo sufrió daños menores por el incendio.
B1Fortunately, the building only suffered minor damage from the fire.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'incendio' is a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it, and any describing words (adjectives) must also end in -o (e.g., 'un incendio terrible').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incendio vs. Fuego
Mistake: "Using 'fuego' when describing a disaster: 'Hubo un gran fuego en el bosque.'"
Correction: Use 'incendio' for large, destructive, or out-of-control fires: 'Hubo un gran incendio en el bosque.' 'Fuego' is usually for small, controlled fires (like a candle or campfire).
⭐ Usage Tips
Emergency Vocabulary
This is a key word for safety and news. If you see 'incendio' on a sign or hear it on the radio, it means danger is nearby.
Incendio can also metaphorically refer to a sudden outbreak or rapid spread of conflict or intense emotion.
incendio(noun)
outbreak
?sudden spread of conflict or emotion
,firestorm
?intense media or emotional reaction
uproar
?public disturbance
,furore
?intense public excitement or anger
📝 In Action
Las declaraciones del ministro causaron un incendio político.
C1The minister's statements caused a political firestorm.
Sentía un incendio de celos cada vez que ella hablaba con otro.
B2He felt a storm of jealousy every time she spoke to someone else.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Incendio' Figuratively
You can use 'incendio' to describe any situation that feels out of control, intense, or rapidly spreading, just like a real fire. It makes your description sound much stronger than just saying 'problema' (problem).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: incendio
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'incendio' in its figurative (non-literal) sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'incendio' and 'fuego'?
'Fuego' is the general word for fire (like a campfire or a spark). 'Incendio' specifically refers to a large, destructive, and usually accidental or dangerous fire (a blaze or conflagration). Think of 'fuego' as controlled or small, and 'incendio' as out-of-control and big.
How do I say 'arsonist' using this word?
The person who starts a destructive fire is called 'un incendiario' (a masculine noun) or 'una incendiaria' (a feminine noun).