Inklingo

How to Say "tight spot" in Spanish

English → Spanish

apuro

/ah-POO-roh//aˈpuɾo/

nounB1informal
Use 'apuro' for general, informal trouble or a predicament where you need help to get out of it quickly.
A small kitten stuck on a high tree branch, looking down with a worried expression.

Examples

Tu ayuda me sacó de un gran apuro.

Your help got me out of a big predicament.

No quiero ponerte en un apuro, pero necesito el dinero.

I don't want to put you in a tight spot, but I need the money.

Using the Plural

While you can be in 'un apuro' (one predicament), Spanish speakers often use the plural 'en apuros' to say they are generally 'in trouble' or 'in a jam'.

Apuro vs. Apurado

Mistake: “Using 'tengo apuro' when you mean 'I am embarrassed'.”

Correction: Say 'estoy avergonzado' for embarrassment. 'Tengo apuro' means you are in a rush or 'Me da apuro' means something feels socially awkward to do.

lance

/lan-se//ˈlanθe/ (Spain) /'lanse/ (Latam)

nounB1
Opt for 'lance' when referring to a specific, often tense or problematic incident or situation that has occurred.
A colorful stack of wooden blocks has just toppled over on a simple wooden floor, scattering them across the ground.

Examples

Tuvimos un lance muy tenso con la policía en la frontera.

We had a very tense incident with the police at the border.

El joven tuvo un lance amoroso con la hija del jefe.

The young man had a romantic affair with the boss's daughter.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'lanza' (spear) is feminine, 'lance' is always masculine ('el lance'). Remember the 'E' ending doesn't always indicate gender.

callejón

nounC1
Choose 'callejón' (often in 'callejón sin salida') to describe a more serious, inescapable, or dead-end situation, especially in a financial or strategic context.

Examples

Si no llegamos a un acuerdo, estaremos en un callejón sin salida financiero.

If we don't reach an agreement, we will be in a financial dead end.

Apuro vs. Callejón

Learners often confuse 'apuro' and 'callejón'. Remember that 'apuro' implies a temporary difficulty you can likely escape, while 'callejón' (especially 'callejón sin salida') suggests a more permanent, difficult-to-resolve impasse.

Related Translations

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