Inklingo

How to Say "fluke" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “fluke” is “casualidad” — use this word when 'fluke' refers to a surprising coincidence or a stroke of good luck, often implying a happy accident.

English → Spanish

casualidad

kah-soo-ah-lee-DADHkaswaliˈðað

nounA2general
Use this word when 'fluke' refers to a surprising coincidence or a stroke of good luck, often implying a happy accident.
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).

accidente

ak-see-DEN-tayak.siˈðen.te

nounB2general
Choose this translation when 'fluke' means an unlikely or unintended occurrence, often used in a more formal or literary context, like an 'accident of fate'.
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).

rebote

re-BOH-tehreˈβote

nounB1informal
Use 'rebote' when 'fluke' implies getting something indirectly or by chance, often in a colloquial way, like an unexpected opportunity.
A soccer ball hitting a tree trunk and rolling directly into a small goal.

Examples

Conseguí este trabajo de rebote.

I got this job by chance/indirectly.

Me enteré de la noticia de rebote.

I found out about the news through the grapevine/indirectly.

Debes tener cuidado con el efecto rebote de esa dieta.

You should be careful with the rebound effect of that diet.

The preposition 'de'

To say 'indirectly' or 'by chance,' you almost always use the phrase 'de rebote'.

Literal translation

Mistake: “Saying 'por rebote'.”

Correction: Say 'de rebote' when you mean something happened as a side-effect or by chance.

barba

BAR-bahˈbaɾβa

nounB2general
This translation specifically refers to the barb of a hook or anchor, a physical projection designed to catch or hold.
A detailed illustration of the tip of a silver fishing hook, clearly showing the sharp, backward-pointing barb near the point.

Examples

La barba del anzuelo evita que el pez se escape fácilmente.

The barb of the hook prevents the fish from easily escaping.

Asegúrate de que la barba de la flecha esté afilada antes de cazar.

Make sure the barb of the arrow is sharp before hunting.

Specialized Context

This definition is usually only heard when talking about fishing gear, arrows, or specialized tools. If you are talking about people, 'barba' almost always means 'beard'.

Luck vs. Physical Object

The most common mistake is using words for luck like 'casualidad' or 'accidente' when referring to the physical barb of a hook ('barba'). Remember, 'barba' is a concrete noun for a part of a tool, not an abstract concept of chance.

Related Translations

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