Inklingo

How to Say "flash" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bala

/BAH-lah//ˈbala/

nounC1informal
Use 'bala' when referring to something or someone moving extremely quickly, like a bullet.
A simplified red race car zooming across a landscape, leaving a long, dramatic speed streak behind it to emphasize extreme velocity.

Examples

Mi hijo corre tan rápido que parece una bala.

My son runs so fast he looks like a bullet.

Cuando le dije que la cena estaba lista, salió hecho una bala.

When I told him dinner was ready, he left like a shot (very quickly).

Mi hermana es una bala para los exámenes de matemáticas.

My sister is a whiz (or a sharp shooter/very fast) at math exams.

Use with 'Ser' or 'Ir'

We often use 'bala' with the verbs 'ser' (to be) or 'ir' (to go) to emphasize speed or skill. Think of 'bala' here as the epitome of speed.

flash

/flash//ˈflaʃ/

nounA2
Use 'flash' (borrowed from English) specifically for the burst of light emitted by a camera during photography.
A vintage camera positioned in the center, emitting a brilliant, white burst of photographic light from its flash unit, illuminating the surrounding area.

Examples

No te olvides de activar el flash de la cámara para esta foto.

Don't forget to activate the camera's flash for this photo.

Olvidé encender el flash para la foto nocturna.

I forgot to turn on the flash for the night photo.

Necesitas un flash externo si quieres fotos de estudio.

You need an external flash if you want studio photos.

Gender Rule for Anglicisms

Even though 'flash' is an imported English word, Spanish nouns are either masculine or feminine. 'Flash' takes the masculine article 'el' (el flash).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La flash”

Correction: El flash. Since it refers to the sudden light/device, it is masculine.

Confusing speed with light

The most common mistake is using 'bala' (bullet) when you mean the camera's 'flash'. Remember, 'bala' is for speed, while 'flash' is for the photographic light.

Related Translations

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