How to Say "fire department" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “fire department” is “bomberos” — use 'bomberos' when referring to the fire department as a collective organization or service, often when calling for help.
Use 'bomberos' when referring to the fire department as a collective organization or service, often when calling for help.
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Use 'brigada' specifically when referring to a firefighting unit or team, emphasizing the operational group rather than the whole service.
Learn more →bohm-BEH-rohsbomˈbeɾos
Examples
Llamamos a los bomberos tan pronto como vimos el humo.
We called the fire department as soon as we saw the smoke.
Los bomberos usan mucha agua para apagar el fuego.
The firefighters use a lot of water to put out the fire.
El equipo de bomberos de la ciudad es muy valiente.
The city's fire department team is very brave.
Masculine Plural for Groups
Even if the group includes women, 'los bomberos' is the standard plural way to talk about the fire department personnel as a whole. If you only mean female firefighters, you would say 'las bomberas'.
Confusing Singular and Plural
Mistake: “Hablé con un bomberos.”
Correction: Hablé con un bombero. Remember to use the singular form ('bombero') when referring to just one person.
bree-GAH-dahbɾiˈɣaða
Examples
La brigada de bomberos controló el fuego rápidamente.
The fire brigade controlled the fire quickly.
El general ordenó a la brigada avanzar por el flanco izquierdo.
The general ordered the brigade to advance on the left flank.
Formal Context
When used in a military context, 'brigada' refers to a large unit composed of several battalions or regiments, much like the English 'brigade'.
Bomberos vs. Brigada
Learners often use 'brigada' when they simply mean the fire department in general. Remember that 'bomberos' is the most common and versatile term for the entire service, while 'brigada' refers more specifically to a team or unit within it.
Related Translations
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