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How to Say "fires" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fuegos

/FWAY-gos//ˈfwe.ɣos/

nounA2general
Use 'fuegos' when referring to multiple instances of burning, like several separate fires in different locations.
Three distinct, brightly burning orange and yellow bonfires set on the ground.

Examples

Los bomberos lucharon contra varios fuegos en el edificio.

The firefighters fought against several fires in the building.

Vimos los fuegos de la hoguera desde lejos.

We saw the flames of the bonfire from afar.

Counting Fires

This meaning is the simple plural of 'fuego.' Use it when you are referring to more than one distinct fire or multiple sources of flames.

incendios

in-SEN-dee-os/inˈsen.djos/

nounA2general
Use 'incendios' for large, uncontrolled, and destructive blazes, particularly wildfires or building fires.
A storybook illustration showing multiple intense, uncontrolled blazes spreading through a dense, dark forest.

Examples

Los incendios forestales han destruido miles de hectáreas este verano.

The wildfires have destroyed thousands of hectares this summer.

La policía investiga la causa de los incendios en el edificio.

The police are investigating the cause of the fires in the building.

Los bomberos luchan contra tres incendios simultáneos.

The firefighters are fighting three simultaneous fires.

Gender and Plural

This word is the plural of 'incendio' (a masculine noun), so it always takes masculine plural articles and adjectives: 'los incendios grandes' (the big fires).

Using 'Fuegos'

Mistake: “Using 'fuegos' when talking about a disaster, e.g., 'Muchos fuegos en el bosque.'”

Correction: Use 'incendios' for large, destructive, or accidental blazes. 'Fuego' usually means a controlled fire (like a campfire) or the general element/concept.

dispara

/dees-PAH-rah//disˈpaɾa/

verbA2general
Use 'dispara' when referring to the action of firing a weapon, like a gun, or launching an object.
A small, stylized black cannon resting on a grassy hill, shown in the moment of firing a round cannonball, accompanied by a puff of white smoke.

Examples

El policía dispara al aire para asustar a los ladrones.

The police officer fires into the air to scare the thieves.

¡Dispara! ¡No te quedes esperando!

Shoot! Don't just stand there waiting!

Ella dispara la pelota con mucha fuerza.

She shoots the ball with great force.

Present Tense Action

In this form, 'dispara' means 'he/she/it shoots' or 'you (formal) shoot.' It describes an action happening now or a habitual action.

Informal Command

When used as a command to a friend ('tú'), '¡Dispara!' means 'Shoot!' or 'Fire!'. This is the exact same form as the 'él/ella' present tense.

echa

EH-chah/ˈe.tʃa/

verbB1informal
Use 'echa' when the meaning is to dismiss or fire someone from their job or from a place.
A lonely, small figure with a briefcase walking away from a large, imposing, closed door, symbolizing job dismissal.

Examples

El dueño echa al inquilino por no pagar.

The owner kicks out the tenant for not paying.

Si no trabaja bien, la jefa lo echa.

If he doesn't work well, the boss fires him.

Using 'Echar' for Removal

When 'echar' means to fire or kick someone out, it nearly always requires the preposition 'a' before the person being removed: 'echa a la gente'.

Nouns vs. Verbs: Fires vs. Firing

The most common mistake is confusing the Spanish nouns for burning events ('fuegos', 'incendios') with the Spanish verbs for shooting or dismissing ('dispara', 'echa'). Remember, if you're talking about something burning, use a noun; if someone is performing an action, use a verb.

Related Translations

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