Inklingo

How to Say "fluke" in Spanish

English → Spanish

casualidad

/kah-soo-ah-lee-DADH//kaswaliˈðað/

nounA2general
Use 'casualidad' when 'fluke' refers to a surprising coincidence or a stroke of good luck, often unexpected.
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 encontrarte aquí!

What a fluke running into you here!

¡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-tay//ak.siˈðen.te/

nounB2general
Choose 'accidente' when 'fluke' implies an unintentional event or an unlikely chance occurrence, often with a slightly more formal or literary tone.
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 fue un simple accidente del destino.

Our meeting was a mere fluke of fate.

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).

barba

BAR-bah/ˈbaɾβa/

nounB2technical
Use 'barba' specifically when 'fluke' refers to the pointed projection on an anchor or a fishhook designed to prevent it from slipping out.
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 es crucial para pescar.

The fluke of the fishhook is crucial for fishing.

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. Event vs. Anchor Part

Learners often confuse 'casualidad' (luck/coincidence) with 'accidente' (unlikely event). Remember that 'casualidad' implies good fortune or surprise, while 'accidente' can be neutral or even negative. 'Barba' is entirely distinct, referring to a physical object.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.