Fósforo (en. Phosphorus)

/ˈfos.fo.ɾo/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish

noun

A stick of wood or cardboard coated with a chemical mixture that ignites by friction.

I used a match to light the candle.

Usé un fósforo para encender la vela.

Device to initiate combustion.

There are several matches of different colors in the box.

En la caja hay varios fósforos de diferentes colores.

From the Latin 'phosphorus', which means 'bearer of light'.

To make fire with a match

To light a fire using a match.

hacer fuego con un fósforo

Safety match

A match that only ignites when rubbed against a special surface.

fósforo de seguridad

To leave a mark with a lit match

To make a mark or damage with a lit match.

echar mancha con fósforo

Matchstick

Small match used commonly to start a fire.

cerillo

Combustion

Chemical reaction that generates light and heat when burning a material.

combustión

Fire

State of matter in which light and heat are produced by combustion.

fuego

Match as a synonym for a person who is useless

That guy is a match, he can't do anything right.

Ese tipo es un fósforo, no sabe hacer nada bien.

Match as someone who extinguishes easily

Don't be a match, cheer up.

No seas fósforo, anímate.