quemó
/keh-MOH/
burned
Quemó (burned): The log was destroyed by intense heat.
quemó(verb)
burned
?destroyed by fire or heat
,set fire to
?started a fire
incinerated
?formally destroyed
📝 In Action
El incendio quemó la casa entera.
A2The fire burned the whole house.
Mi hermana quemó el pan tostado esta mañana.
A1My sister burned the toast this morning.
¿Quién quemó todos esos papeles viejos?
B1Who burned all those old papers?
💡 Grammar Points
Simple Past Action
This form ('quemó') tells you that the action of burning happened quickly and finished completely in the past (e.g., yesterday, last week). It refers to 'he,' 'she,' or 'it.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Using *quemaba* when the action was a single event (e.g., *Él quemaba la carta*)."
Correction: Use *quemó* for single, completed actions. *Quemaba* is for actions that were ongoing or repeated in the past (e.g., *Él quemaba cartas todos los días*).
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Result
When using 'quemó,' the focus is usually on the result—the thing is now destroyed or changed by fire.
Quemó (scalded): The steam from the hot liquid injured the skin.
quemó(verb)
scalded
?injured by hot liquid or steam
,sunburned
?injured by the sun
singed
?slightly burned hair or fabric
📝 In Action
El sol la quemó porque no usó protector.
B1The sun burned her because she didn't use sunscreen.
Se quemó con el café que estaba hirviendo.
B2He scalded himself with the boiling coffee.
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive Use
To say someone burned themselves, you must add 'se' before the verb: 'Se quemó'. This shows the action came back onto the person doing it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the 'Se'
Mistake: "Saying 'Él quemó con la sopa' (He burned with the soup)."
Correction: Say 'Él se quemó con la sopa' (He burned himself with the soup). The 'se' is essential when talking about self-inflicted or accidental injury.
Quemó (wasted): The opportunity was tossed aside and lost.
quemó(verb)
wasted
?time or opportunity
,blew
?spent money quickly
used up
?energy or resources
📝 In Action
Quemó todo su sueldo en un solo día.
B2He blew his entire salary in a single day.
Ese proyecto quemó la energía de todo el equipo.
C1That project used up the entire team's energy.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Meaning
When used with words like 'dinero' (money) or 'tiempo' (time), 'quemó' means to use it up so quickly it's like it disappeared in a flash of fire.
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Context
This meaning is generally informal. Use 'gastó' or 'desperdició' in formal writing when referring to money or time.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quemó
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'quemó' to mean 'wasted'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If I want to say 'I burned' something, is 'quemó' the right word?
No. 'Quemó' means 'he, she, or it burned.' If you want to say 'I burned,' you must use the 'yo' form of the simple past, which is 'quemé' (with an accent mark).
How do I say 'He got a sunburn' using 'quemó'?
You need to use the reflexive form: 'Él se quemó con el sol.' The 'se' indicates that the action of burning happened to the subject himself.