fuego

/ˈfwe.ɣo/
nounBeginner
general

The physical phenomenon of combustion, producing light and heat.

El fuego del campamento iluminó la noche.

The campfire lit up the night.

💡

Can refer to both controlled (campfire) and uncontrolled (wildfire) fire.

figurative

Intense passion or emotion, often romantic or artistic.

Su música tiene mucho fuego.

His music has a lot of passion.

💡

Commonly used in artistic and emotional contexts.

military

A weapon or tool that uses fire, such as a flamethrower or firearm.

El soldado apuntó con el fuego de su rifle.

The soldier aimed with the fire from his rifle.

💡

Less common usage in modern contexts.

Collocations

hacer fuegoto make a fireapagar el fuegoto put out the firejugar con fuegoto play with fire

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

jugar con fuegoidiom
to take unnecessary risks
echar leña al fuegoidiom
to make a bad situation worse

💡Pro Tip

Figurative Use

Remember that 'fuego' can mean both literal fire and intense passion or emotion.

Gold Rule

Gender Agreement

In Spanish, 'fuego' is a masculine noun, so adjectives must agree in gender and number (e.g., 'fuego grande').

📖Word Origin

From Latin 'focus' (hearth, fireplace), related to 'foculus' (small fire).

📝Usage Notes

In some Latin American countries, 'fuego' can also refer to a firearm, though this usage is less common in Spain.

Word Breakdown

fue-
fire
root
+
-go
suffix indicating a state or condition
suffix
Diccionario Español-Inglés