Inklingo

How to Say "heads up!" in Spanish

English → Spanish

aguas

AH-gwas/ˈaɣwas/

InterjectionB1Informal
Use '¡Aguas!' when warning someone about a potential physical danger that is imminent or coming from above, like falling objects or a slippery surface.
A colorful illustration showing one figure urgently pointing upwards while another figure ducks to avoid a large object falling from the sky.

Examples

¡Aguas! Viene una pelota volando hacia ti.

Heads up! A ball is coming your way.

¡Aguas! El piso está resbaloso.

Look out! The floor is slippery.

Cuando grité '¡Aguas!', todos se movieron rápidamente.

When I shouted 'Heads up!', everyone moved quickly.

A Fixed Expression

This is a set phrase that always stays the same, regardless of who you are talking to. Think of it as a single, urgent command.

ojo

OH-hoh/ˈoxo/

InterjectionA2Informal
Use '¡Ojo!' to draw attention to important information or a potential problem that requires caution, rather than immediate physical danger.
A simple cartoon squirrel is running quickly along a path towards a large, unexpected puddle of water. A small, alarmed bird is hovering nearby, urgently pointing its wing towards the puddle to warn the squirrel.

Examples

¡Ojo! No olvides cerrar la puerta con llave.

Heads up! Don't forget to lock the door.

¡Ojo! Hay un coche detrás de ti.

Watch out! There's a car behind you.

Ojo, mañana tenemos que entregar el proyecto sin falta.

Heads up, tomorrow we have to turn in the project without fail.

Always Singular

When used as a warning, 'ojo' is always used in the singular, often followed by an exclamation mark.

Aguas vs. Ojo: Physical Danger vs. General Caution

Learners often confuse 'aguas' and 'ojo' because both signal a warning. Remember that '¡Aguas!' is specifically for immediate physical threats, while '¡Ojo!' is broader, alerting someone to information or a less immediate concern.

Related Translations

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