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How to Say "blaze" in Spanish

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incendio

een-SEN-dee-oh/inˈθen.djo/

nounA2general
Use 'incendio' for a large, often destructive, uncontrolled fire, such as a wildfire or a building fire.
A towering column of destructive orange and red flames engulfing a structure, with thick gray smoke rising into a dark sky.

Examples

El incendio forestal arrasó miles de hectáreas.

The forest fire devastated thousands of hectares.

El incendio forestal tardó tres días en controlarse.

The forest fire took three days to control.

Llamaron a los bomberos inmediatamente después de ver el incendio.

They called the firefighters immediately after seeing the blaze.

Afortunadamente, el edificio solo sufrió daños menores por el incendio.

Fortunately, the building only suffered minor damage from the fire.

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').

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).

llama

/YA-ma//ˈʝa.ma/

nounA2general
Use 'llama' to refer to the actual flame or the visible part of a fire, which can be small like from a candle or large from a bonfire.
A single, bright yellow and orange flame rising from a simple white candle wick against a dark background.

Examples

Cuidado, la llama de la hoguera está muy alta.

Be careful, the flame of the bonfire is very high.

La llama de la vela ilumina la habitación.

The flame of the candle lights up the room.

Los bomberos lucharon contra las altas llamas.

The firefighters fought against the high flames.

Also a Girl!

Just like the animal, 'llama' meaning flame is a feminine word. You'll always use 'la llama' or 'una llama'.

quema

KAY-mah/ˈke.ma/

nounB1general
Use 'quema' when referring to a fire that is intentionally set, often for agricultural purposes like clearing land or stubble.
A wooden log resting on the ground, actively engulfed in bright orange and yellow flames, illustrating the action of burning.

Examples

La quema controlada ayuda a prevenir incendios mayores.

Controlled burning helps prevent larger fires.

La quema de pastizales está prohibida en verano.

The burning of grasslands is prohibited in the summer.

Hubo una quema de basura que causó mucha contaminación.

There was a burning of trash that caused a lot of pollution.

El agricultor prepara la quema para limpiar el campo.

The farmer prepares the controlled burn to clear the field.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'quema' is feminine ('la quema'), even though it ends in '-a' and relates to fire (like 'el fuego').

Incendio vs. Quema

Learners often confuse 'incendio' and 'quema' because both refer to large fires. Remember that 'incendio' is typically for accidental or natural disasters, while 'quema' is for fires intentionally set, especially for land management.

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