Inklingo

How to Say "spell" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “spell” is “tiempo” — use 'tiempo' when referring to a general period of time, like having 'a lot of time' or 'not enough time'..

tiempo🔊A1

Use 'tiempo' when referring to a general period of time, like having 'a lot of time' or 'not enough time'.

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racha🔊A2

Use 'racha' to describe a short, consecutive period of a particular type of weather or luck, like a winning streak or a period of bad weather.

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ataque🔊B1

Use 'ataque' for a sudden, often brief, episode or bout of an illness, like a coughing fit or a sudden illness.

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ola🔊B1

Use 'ola' to describe a period of intense weather, such as a heatwave or a cold snap.

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hechizo🔊B1

Use 'hechizo' specifically for a magical action or incantation, often implying a powerful or deliberate magical act.

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encanto🔊B2

Use 'encanto' for a magical incantation or charm, often implying something that has a magical effect or is a magical formula.

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English → Spanish

tiempo

/tyem-po//ˈtjempo/

nounA1general
Use 'tiempo' when referring to a general period of time, like having 'a lot of time' or 'not enough time'.
A sun on the left and a moon on the right of a simple landscape, representing the passage of time from day to night.

Examples

No tengo mucho tiempo libre.

I don't have a lot of free time.

¿Cuánto tiempo necesitas para terminar?

How much time do you need to finish?

El tiempo lo cura todo.

Time heals all wounds.

Uncountable Noun

When talking about time in general, 'tiempo' doesn't usually have a plural form. You say 'mucho tiempo' (a lot of time), not 'muchos tiempos'.

'Tiempo' vs. 'Vez' vs. 'Hora'

Mistake: “Using 'tiempo' to mean 'one time' or 'o'clock'.”

Correction: Use 'vez' for instances (una vez = one time) and 'hora' for the time on a clock (¿Qué hora es? = What time is it?). 'Tiempo' is for the concept of time itself.

racha

/rah-chah//ˈrat͡ʃa/

nounA2general
Use 'racha' to describe a short, consecutive period of a particular type of weather or luck, like a winning streak or a period of bad weather.
A line of five identical golden trophies standing in a row on a wooden shelf.

Examples

El equipo lleva una racha de cinco victorias seguidas.

The team is on a five-game winning streak.

Estoy pasando por una mala racha en el trabajo.

I'm going through a rough patch at work.

¡Qué buena racha tienes!

What a lucky streak you're having!

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in 'a', just remember it always uses feminine words like 'la' or 'una'. Use 'buena' or 'mala' to describe it.

Using 'racha' for long eras

Mistake: “Using 'racha' for a 10-year period.”

Correction: Use 'racha' for shorter, temporary bursts of luck or behavior. For long historical periods, use 'época'.

ataque

/ah-TAH-keh//aˈtake/

nounB1general
Use 'ataque' for a sudden, often brief, episode or bout of an illness, like a coughing fit or a sudden illness.
A child sitting on the floor, bent over and laughing uncontrollably, illustrating a fit or bout of emotion.

Examples

Le dio un ataque de tos en medio de la reunión.

He had a coughing fit in the middle of the meeting.

Tuvo un ataque de pánico antes de su presentación.

She had a panic attack before her presentation.

Después de escuchar el chiste, me dio un ataque de risa.

After hearing the joke, I had a laughing fit.

Using 'de' to Specify

To say what kind of 'fit' it is, you just add 'de' plus the noun describing it. For example, 'ataque de tos' (fit of coughing) or 'ataque de pánico' (fit of panic).

ola

OH-lah/ˈo.la/

nounB1general
Use 'ola' to describe a period of intense weather, such as a heatwave or a cold snap.
A parched, brown landscape baking under an intense, bright yellow sun, with visible shimmering heat lines rising from the ground.

Examples

Estamos sufriendo una fuerte ola de calor.

We are suffering a strong heat wave.

Hubo una ola de protestas en el centro de la ciudad.

There was a wave of protests in the city center.

El país experimentó una ola de optimismo tras las elecciones.

The country experienced a surge of optimism after the elections.

Figurative Use

In this context, 'ola' describes a large, powerful, and often sudden increase or movement, just like a water wave, but applied to non-physical things.

hechizo

eh-CHEE-soh/eˈtʃiθo/

nounB1general
Use 'hechizo' specifically for a magical action or incantation, often implying a powerful or deliberate magical act.
A simple storybook illustration of a hand holding a wooden wand emitting bright green magical sparks and swirls, representing a spell.

Examples

El mago negro lanzó un hechizo muy poderoso.

The dark wizard cast a very powerful spell.

Pensamos que la princesa estaba bajo un hechizo de sueño.

We thought the princess was under a sleeping spell.

Necesitamos un contrahechizo para romper esto.

We need a counter-spell to break this.

encanto

en-KAHN-toh/enˈkanto/

nounB2general
Use 'encanto' for a magical incantation or charm, often implying something that has a magical effect or is a magical formula.
A single hand emerging from darkness, holding a simple, glowing, purple orb from which swirling magical energy emanates, representing a spell.

Examples

El mago rompió el encanto que protegía el castillo.

The wizard broke the spell that was protecting the castle.

La princesa se despertó del encanto con un beso.

The princess woke up from the enchantment with a kiss.

Magic Spells: Hechizo vs. Encanto

Learners often confuse 'hechizo' and 'encanto' for magical spells. While both refer to magic, 'hechizo' often implies the action or casting of a spell, whereas 'encanto' can refer to the spell itself or a charm with a magical effect.

Related Translations

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