Inklingo

How to Say "coincidence" in Spanish

English → Spanish

casualidad

/kah-soo-ah-lee-DADH//kaswaliˈðað/

nounA2general
Use 'casualidad' for everyday, often pleasant, unexpected events or meetings that feel like a happy chance.
A high-quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing two distinct characters, one wearing a green hat and the other a blue scarf, looking surprised as they unexpectedly bump shoulders while walking on a path, symbolizing a coincidence.

Examples

¡Qué casualidad! Estaba pensando en ti.

What a coincidence! I was just thinking about you.

Encontré las llaves perdidas por pura casualidad.

I found the lost keys purely by chance.

Si ves a mi hermano, ¿podrías decirle que me llame? Solo si es casualidad.

If you see my brother, could you tell him to call me? Only if it’s by chance.

The 'By Chance' Expression

To say that something happened 'by chance' or 'accidentally,' always use the fixed expression 'por casualidad.' This is a key phrase to memorize.

Casualidad vs. Accidente

Mistake: “Using 'casualidad' to mean a car crash or a physical injury.”

Correction: Use 'accidente' for crashes or physical mishaps. 'Casualidad' refers only to an unpredicted event or coincidence: 'Tuvimos un accidente de coche' (We had a car accident).

coincidencia

koh-een-see-DEN-syah/koinsiˈðensja/

nounA2general
Use 'coincidencia' when two or more things or events happen at the same time by chance, especially when they share a surprising similarity.
Two people, one holding a red umbrella and the other a blue balloon, unexpectedly bump into each other on a street corner, both showing surprised expressions.

Examples

¡Qué coincidencia! Yo también estudio en esa universidad.

What a coincidence! I also study at that university.

No fue planeado, fue pura coincidencia que estuviéramos en el mismo café.

It wasn't planned, it was pure coincidence that we were in the same café.

Expressing Surprise

To express surprise, use '¡Qué coincidencia!' (What a coincidence!) or 'Es una coincidencia' (It is a coincidence).

Using 'Coincidencia' for 'Chance'

Mistake: “Sometimes learners use 'coincidencia' when they mean 'by chance' (por casualidad).”

Correction: Use 'Por casualidad, encontré mi cartera.' (By chance, I found my wallet.)

accidente

/ak-see-DEN-tay//ak.siˈðen.te/

nounB2general
Use 'accidente' to describe a remarkable concurrence of events that feels like destiny or a significant, unplanned turn of events, often with a touch of the dramatic.
An illustration showing a winding river and a separate hiking trail unexpectedly converging into a single point in a green valley, symbolizing chance or coincidence.

Examples

Nuestro encuentro no fue planeado, fue un simple accidente del destino.

Our meeting wasn't planned, it was a simple accident of fate.

En la filosofía, se distingue entre la esencia y el accidente.

In philosophy, a distinction is made between essence and accident (a non-essential property).

Casualidad vs. Coincidencia

Learners often confuse 'casualidad' and 'coincidencia' because both mean chance. 'Casualidad' is more common for everyday, often positive, surprising events, while 'coincidencia' emphasizes the matching or simultaneous nature of events.

Related Translations

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