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How to Say "flop" in Spanish

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fracasado

fra-ca-sá-dofɾakaˈsaðo

nounB2Informal
Use 'fracasado' to informally describe a person who has failed, especially in a business or personal endeavor.
A solitary, simple cartoon figure sitting dejectedly on a wooden stool, looking sad, with a single deflated red balloon resting on the floor nearby.

Examples

No quiero que pienses que soy un fracasado solo por este error.

I don't want you to think I'm a failure just because of this mistake.

Ella teme convertirse en una fracasada si no consigue ese trabajo.

She fears becoming a failure if she doesn't get that job.

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “Using 'un fracasado' to refer to a woman.”

Correction: When using this word as a noun for a woman, you must use the feminine form: 'una fracasada'. This is the same structure as other nouns describing professions or people.

limón

nounB2Informal
Use 'limón' to refer to something (often a product, like a car) that is a complete failure or a bad investment due to defects.

Examples

Compré un coche usado y resultó ser un limón; se daña cada semana.

I bought a used car and it turned out to be a lemon; it breaks down every week.

Person vs. Thing

The most common mistake is using 'fracasado' for an object or project. Remember, 'fracasado' specifically describes a person's failure, while 'limón' refers to a faulty item or a bad deal.

Related Translations

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