fusible
fusible em 30 segundos
- A 'fusible' is a masculine noun in Spanish meaning 'fuse', used primarily in electrical and automotive contexts to describe a safety component.
- Commonly paired with the verb 'fundirse' (to blow/melt) or 'cambiar' (to replace) when discussing household or car repairs.
- Metaphorically used in Spanish to describe a person, often a politician, who is sacrificed or resigns to protect a higher authority.
- Not to be confused with the adjective 'fundible', which means 'meltable', though both relate to the physical process of melting.
The Spanish word fusible is a technical yet common noun that refers to a 'fuse' in an electrical context. In the physical world, it is a small, essential component designed to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by excess current. When too much electricity flows through the circuit, the metal wire inside the fusible melts, effectively 'breaking' the connection and preventing fires or damage to expensive appliances. This term is indispensable for anyone dealing with home maintenance, automotive repairs, or basic physics in a Spanish-speaking environment.
- Technical Context
- In electrical engineering, the fusible is the primary sacrificial device. It is often found in a caja de fusibles (fuse box). If your lights suddenly go out after plugging in a powerful heater, a Spanish speaker would likely say, 'Se ha fundido un fusible' (A fuse has blown/melted).
- Automotive Usage
- Cars are full of these components. If your radio stops working or your headlights fail, the first thing a mechanic in Madrid or Mexico City will check is the fusible corresponding to that specific system.
El técnico cambió el fusible quemado para restaurar la electricidad en toda la planta baja de la casa.
¿Dónde está la caja de fusibles? Creo que se cortó la luz por una sobrecarga.
- Metaphorical Use
- In Spanish politics, a minister might be called a 'fusible' if they are forced to resign to protect the president or the party leader. They 'melt' (resign) to save the rest of the 'circuit' (the government).
El ministro actuó como un fusible para que las críticas no llegaran al presidente.
Using the word fusible correctly requires understanding its gender (masculine) and its common verb pairings. Most often, you will see it paired with verbs like cambiar (to change), fundir (to melt/blow), or revisar (to check). Because it is a count noun, it follows standard pluralization rules by adding '-s'.
Si conectas demasiados aparatos, el fusible se va a fundir.
- Common Verb Collocations
- Fundirse un fusible: When a fuse blows. Example: 'Se fundió el fusible de la cocina.'
- Cambiar un fusible: Replacing the component. Example: 'Necesito comprar herramientas para cambiar el fusible.'
- Saltar un fusible: A more colloquial way to say the fuse 'tripped' or blew.
When describing the type of fuse, Spanish usually places the adjective after the noun. For example, a 'thermal fuse' is a fusible térmico, and an 'automotive fuse' is a fusible automotriz.
Este fusible es de diez amperios; no uses uno de veinte o podrías causar un incendio.
You will encounter fusible in several specific environments. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word instantly when spoken by native speakers.
- The Hardware Store (Ferretería)
- If you go to a ferretería in a Spanish-speaking country, you might hear a customer ask: '¿Tiene fusibles de 15 amperios para un coche?' This is one of the most frequent places the word is used in daily life.
- With Electricians and Technicians
- When a professional comes to fix an appliance, they might say: 'El problema no es el motor, es solo un fusible quemado.' Hearing this is usually good news, as it means a cheap and easy repair.
Revisa los fusibles antes de llamar al servicio técnico; podrías ahorrarte mucho dinero.
In news broadcasts or political analysis, you will hear fusible used to describe high-ranking officials who are dismissed to save their superiors. This is a very common 'journalistic' metaphor in Spain and Latin America.
English speakers learning Spanish often make a few predictable errors with fusible. Awareness of these can help you sound more natural and avoid confusion.
- Gender Confusion
- Many learners assume nouns ending in 'e' are feminine or neutral. However, fusible is strictly masculine. Saying 'la fusible' is a clear marker of a non-native speaker.
- Confusing with 'Fundible'
- In Spanish, fundible means 'meltable' (an adjective). While a fusible is designed to melt, the two words are not interchangeable. Fusible is the object; fundible is the property.
Depending on the specific type of electrical protection or the country you are in, there are several related terms you should know to expand your vocabulary.
- Disyuntor / Interruptor Automático
- This is the modern 'circuit breaker' found in most homes today. Unlike a fusible, which must be replaced after it melts, a disyuntor can simply be flipped back to the 'on' position.
- Plomos
- In Spain, people colloquially say 'saltar los plomos' to mean a fuse blew or the power tripped. This comes from the fact that old fuses were made of lead (plomo).
- Breaker
- In many Latin American countries (like Mexico or Colombia), the English word 'breaker' is used directly, often spelled as bréker.
How Formal Is It?
Curiosidade
The word 'fusible' shares the same root as 'fondue' (melted cheese) and 'foundry' (a place where metal is melted).
Guia de pronúncia
- Pronouncing the final 'e' like 'ey' (fusi-blay).
- Using a hard English 'z' sound for the 's'.
- Stressing the first syllable (FU-sible).
- Pronouncing it like the English word 'fusible' (fyoo-zuh-bull).
- Making the 'b' too explosive; it should be soft between vowels.
Nível de dificuldade
Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English word 'fuse' and 'fusible'.
Must remember it is masculine and ends in 'e'.
Final 'e' and soft 'b' require practice for native-like flow.
Clear pronunciation makes it easy to spot in context.
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Gramática essencial
Gender of nouns ending in -e
el fusible (masculine), la clase (feminine).
Reflexive verbs for accidents
Se fundió el fusible (The fuse blew itself/happened to it).
Noun-Adjective agreement
fusibles nuevos (plural masculine).
Position of adjectives
fusible térmico (adjective after noun).
Preposition 'de' for material/purpose
fusible de cristal, fusible de repuesto.
Exemplos por nível
El fusible es pequeño.
The fuse is small.
Simple adjective agreement with masculine noun.
¿Dónde está el fusible?
Where is the fuse?
Direct question using the definite article 'el'.
Tengo un fusible.
I have a fuse.
Use of indefinite article 'un'.
El fusible no funciona.
The fuse doesn't work.
Negative sentence with a common verb.
Necesito un fusible nuevo.
I need a new fuse.
Noun-adjective order: noun first.
Es un fusible azul.
It is a blue fuse.
Color adjective following the noun.
El fusible es para el coche.
The fuse is for the car.
Prepositional phrase indicating purpose.
Hay un fusible aquí.
There is a fuse here.
Use of 'hay' for existence.
Se fundió el fusible de la luz.
The light fuse blew.
Use of 'fundirse' (to melt/blow).
Tengo que cambiar el fusible.
I have to change the fuse.
Periphrasis 'tener que' + infinitive.
La caja de fusibles está en el garaje.
The fuse box is in the garage.
Compound noun 'caja de fusibles'.
¿Me das un fusible de repuesto?
Can you give me a spare fuse?
Indirect object pronoun 'me'.
Este fusible es de diez amperios.
This fuse is ten amps.
Demonstrative adjective 'este'.
Ayer compré unos fusibles.
Yesterday I bought some fuses.
Preterite tense and plural noun.
El televisor quemó el fusible.
The TV burned the fuse.
Subject-verb-object structure.
No toques los fusibles con las manos mojadas.
Don't touch the fuses with wet hands.
Negative imperative (command).
Si el fusible se funde otra vez, llama al electricista.
If the fuse blows again, call the electrician.
First conditional sentence structure.
Es importante revisar cada fusible antes de salir de viaje.
It's important to check every fuse before going on a trip.
Infinitive as a subject with 'es importante'.
El fusible protegió la computadora de la sobrecarga.
The fuse protected the computer from the power surge.
Preterite tense indicating a completed action.
He buscado un fusible de este tipo por todas partes.
I have looked for a fuse of this type everywhere.
Present perfect tense.
No sabía que el microondas tenía su propio fusible.
I didn't know the microwave had its own fuse.
Imperfect tense for background information.
Cuando llegué a casa, vi que un fusible había saltado.
When I got home, I saw that a fuse had tripped.
Past perfect tense 'había saltado'.
Dudo que el problema sea solo un fusible.
I doubt the problem is just a fuse.
Subjunctive mood after 'dudo que'.
El fusible se encuentra detrás de esta tapa de plástico.
The fuse is located behind this plastic cover.
Reflexive 'se encuentra' for location.
El ministro de economía sirvió como fusible para proteger al gobierno.
The economy minister served as a fuse to protect the government.
Metaphorical usage of the noun.
Asegúrate de que el fusible sea del amperaje correcto.
Make sure the fuse is of the correct amperage.
Subjunctive after 'asegurarse de que'.
Se ha producido un cortocircuito que ha derretido el fusible.
A short circuit has occurred that melted the fuse.
Relative clause with 'que'.
En esta empresa, los gerentes son fusibles intercambiables.
In this company, managers are interchangeable fuses.
Figurative plural usage.
El fusible térmico se activa cuando la temperatura sube demasiado.
The thermal fuse activates when the temperature rises too much.
Passive 'se' construction.
Si no hubieras cambiado el fusible, nada funcionaría ahora.
If you hadn't changed the fuse, nothing would work now.
Third conditional (past unreal).
Había una falla en la línea que quemaba cualquier fusible nuevo.
There was a fault in the line that burned any new fuse.
Imperfect tense indicating repeated action.
La instalación es tan vieja que todavía usa fusibles de plomo.
The installation is so old it still uses lead fuses.
Consecutive clause with 'tan... que'.
La dimisión del secretario fue el fusible que evitó una crisis mayor.
The secretary's resignation was the fuse that prevented a larger crisis.
Abstract metaphorical usage.
Es imperativo que el fusible cumpla con las normativas de seguridad vigentes.
It is imperative that the fuse complies with current safety regulations.
Subjunctive after impersonal expression.
El diseño contempla un fusible de acción rápida para proteger los semiconductores.
The design includes a fast-acting fuse to protect the semiconductors.
Technical vocabulary 'acción rápida'.
Pese a que el fusible estaba intacto, el equipo no encendía.
Despite the fuse being intact, the equipment wouldn't turn on.
Concessive clause 'pese a que'.
La sobretensión fue de tal magnitud que el fusible se vaporizó.
The surge was of such magnitude that the fuse vaporized.
High-register vocabulary 'vaporizó'.
Se sospecha que el incendio se originó por un fusible puenteado ilegalmente.
It is suspected the fire started due to an illegally bypassed fuse.
Passive voice 'se sospecha'.
El fusible actúa como el eslabón más débil de la cadena eléctrica.
The fuse acts as the weakest link in the electrical chain.
Simile within a technical context.
No podemos permitir que el director sea el único fusible en este escándalo.
We cannot allow the director to be the only scapegoat in this scandal.
Social/Political register.
La obsolescencia de estos fusibles compromete la integridad de toda la red.
The obsolescence of these fuses compromises the integrity of the entire grid.
Precise academic vocabulary.
El sistema de redundancia se activó al fallar el fusible principal.
The redundancy system activated when the main fuse failed.
Infinitive construction 'al fallar'.
Cualquier fusible, por nimio que parezca, es vital para la seguridad.
Any fuse, however insignificant it may seem, is vital for safety.
Concessive structure 'por [adj] que [subjunctive]'.
La volatilidad del mercado actuó como un fusible que disparó las ventas.
The market volatility acted as a fuse that triggered sales.
Advanced metaphorical application in finance.
Se requiere un fusible de alta capacidad de ruptura para este transformador.
A high breaking capacity fuse is required for this transformer.
Specific engineering terminology.
El fusible se fundió de forma fulminante tras el impacto del rayo.
The fuse blew instantly after the lightning strike.
Adverbial phrase 'de forma fulminante'.
La jerarquía política suele sacrificar fusibles ante la presión mediática.
The political hierarchy usually sacrifices 'fuses' in the face of media pressure.
Sophisticated sociological observation.
Es una falacia creer que un fusible mayor evitará los cortes de luz.
It is a fallacy to believe that a larger fuse will prevent power outages.
Logic-based academic phrasing.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
— The fuse blew. Used when power stops due to a fuse melting.
Se fundió el fusible y nos quedamos a oscuras.
— To check the fuses. Common advice when an appliance fails.
Antes de comprar una tele nueva, revisa los fusibles.
— High voltage fuse. Used in industrial contexts.
El fusible de alta tensión protege el transformador.
— Fuse puller/tweezers. Tool to remove small fuses.
Usa las pinzas para fusibles, no los dedos.
— Fuse chart. Diagram showing which fuse does what.
Mira la tabla de fusibles en el manual del coche.
— Glass fuse. A specific type of fuse common in old electronics.
Necesito un fusible de cristal de 2 amperios.
— Blade fuse. The standard type of fuse used in modern cars.
Los fusibles de cuchilla son fáciles de identificar.
— To act as a fuse. Used metaphorically for a person taking a hit.
Él aceptó hacer de fusible para salvar la empresa.
— Slow-blow fuse. A fuse that allows temporary surges.
Este motor requiere un fusible retardado.
— Cylindrical fuse. A common shape for household fuses.
Compra un paquete de fusibles cilíndricos.
Frequentemente confundido com
Mecha is the fuse of a bomb or a candle.
Fundible is an adjective meaning 'able to be melted'.
Enchufe is the socket or plug, not the fuse.
Expressões idiomáticas
— To be a sacrificial lamb or scapegoat in a hierarchy.
El director de marketing fue el fusible del fracaso comercial.
metaphorical— To lose one's temper (colloquial in Spain) or for the power to trip.
A mi padre le saltaron los plomos cuando vio la nota.
informal— To be extremely tired or unable to think clearly.
Después de estudiar diez horas, se me fundieron los fusibles.
slang— To take the blame to protect someone else.
Ella actuó de fusible para que no despidieran a su equipo.
neutral— To be 'crazy' or acting irrationally (rare but used).
Ese tipo parece que tiene un fusible fundido.
informal— To use up a person's career or reputation for a specific goal.
El partido quemó un fusible para ganar las elecciones.
political— To be completely exhausted or out of energy.
Estoy sin fusibles, necesito dormir.
informal— To change one's mindset or approach (metaphorical).
Tienes que cambiar el fusible y empezar a ser positivo.
informal— A person whose role is to prevent a larger disaster by absorbing the initial shock.
Él es el fusible de seguridad de la junta directiva.
formal— To stop a problem by removing the person responsible.
Cortaron el fusible antes de que el escándalo creciera.
journalisticFácil de confundir
Sounds similar.
Fusible is the object; fundible is the property of being able to melt.
El metal es fundible, pero el fusible es de metal.
Both translate to 'fuse' in English.
Mecha is for fire/explosives; fusible is for electricity.
Enciende la mecha del cohete.
Similar function.
A disyuntor can be reset; a fusible must be replaced.
El disyuntor saltó, solo hay que subir la palanca.
Common root.
Fusión is the process of melting; fusible is the device.
La fusión del metal ocurrió en el fusible.
Old term.
In some places, old screw-in fuses were called 'tapones'.
Se quemó el tapón de la luz.
Padrões de frases
El [noun] es [adjective].
El fusible es pequeño.
Tengo que [verb] el [noun].
Tengo que cambiar el fusible.
Si [verb], entonces [verb].
Si el fusible se funde, no hay luz.
[Noun] que [verb].
El fusible que compré no sirve.
A pesar de [infinitive]...
A pesar de cambiar el fusible, sigue fallando.
Es imperativo que [subjunctive]...
Es imperativo que el fusible sea el adecuado.
¿Dónde está [noun]?
¿Dónde está el fusible de repuesto?
Se ha [past participle] el [noun].
Se ha quemado el fusible.
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Como usar
Common in household and automotive contexts.
-
La fusible
→
El fusible
It is a masculine noun despite the -e ending.
-
El fusible se rompió
→
El fusible se fundió
Fuses 'melt' (fundir) rather than 'break' (romper) in Spanish terminology.
-
Prender la fusible
→
Encender la mecha
Don't use 'fusible' for explosives.
-
Un fusible de plástica
→
Un fusible de plástico
Agreement error; 'plástico' is the material noun/adjective.
-
Fusible por el coche
→
Fusible para el coche
Use 'para' for purpose/destination.
Dicas
Gender Check
Always pair 'fusible' with masculine articles like 'el' or 'un'. Practice saying 'un fusible' five times.
Car Parts
If you learn 'fusible', also learn 'batería' and 'motor' to complete your car vocabulary.
Regionalism
In Spain, say 'plomos'. In Mexico, you might hear 'breaker'. Both refer to the same concept.
The Right Verb
Use 'fundir' (to melt) specifically for fuses. It's the most natural verb for this context.
Warning
In Spanish manuals, 'fusible' is a key safety word. Always look for it when troubleshooting electronics.
Business Spanish
Use 'fusible' in business contexts to describe a temporary solution or person who takes a risk.
Soft B
The 'b' in 'fusible' is between two vowels, so your lips shouldn't fully touch. It's a soft sound.
Spelling
It is spelled exactly like the English word 'fusible', making it an easy cognate to remember.
Link to Found
Think of 'foundry' where things melt. A 'fusible' is a 'melt-able' thing.
Context Clues
If someone says 'apagón' (blackout), listen for 'fusible' next.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of a 'FUSE' that is 'ABLE' to melt. Fus-ible. It is able to melt to save your house.
Associação visual
Imagine a tiny metal wire inside a glass tube glowing red and then snapping. That is 'el fusible'.
Word Web
Desafio
Go to your car or your home's electrical panel and identify where the 'fusibles' are. Say 'Aquí están los fusibles' out loud.
Origem da palavra
From the Latin word 'fusus', which is the past participle of 'fundere' (to pour, to melt).
Significado original: Something that can be melted.
Romance (Latin root).Contexto cultural
None. This is a neutral, technical term.
English speakers use 'fuse' for both the electrical part and the thing you light on a bomb. In Spanish, the bomb part is 'mecha'.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Car repair
- fusible de la radio
- fusible de las luces
- pinzas de fusibles
- diagrama de fusibles
Home maintenance
- caja de fusibles
- se fue la luz
- fusible fundido
- cambiar los plomos
Electronics store
- fusible de cristal
- fusible de 5 amperios
- paquete de fusibles
- ¿tiene fusibles?
Political news
- ministro fusible
- servir de fusible
- quemar un fusible
- dimisión estratégica
Physics class
- punto de fusión
- resistencia eléctrica
- proteger el circuito
- efecto Joule
Iniciadores de conversa
"¿Sabes dónde está la caja de fusibles en esta casa?"
"Creo que el fusible de mi coche se ha fundido, ¿me ayudas?"
"¿Alguna vez has tenido que cambiar un fusible tú mismo?"
"¿Qué amperaje de fusible necesita este microondas?"
"¿Crees que el ministro dimitió porque era un fusible del presidente?"
Temas para diário
Describe una vez que te quedaste sin luz en casa. ¿Fue culpa de un fusible?
Escribe un diálogo entre un mecánico y un cliente sobre un fusible quemado.
¿Qué opinas de la metáfora de usar a personas como 'fusibles' en el trabajo?
Haz una lista de cinco aparatos en tu casa que podrían tener un fusible.
Explica con tus propias palabras cómo funciona un fusible en español.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasEs masculino: 'el fusible'. Nunca digas 'la fusible'.
Se dice 'el fusible se fundió' o 'saltó el fusible'.
Un fusible se quema y se tira; un disyuntor es un interruptor que se puede rearmar.
No, para bombas se usa 'mecha'.
Es el panel donde se encuentran todos los fusibles de una casa o coche.
En español es principalmente un sustantivo. Para el adjetivo se usa 'fundible'.
Significa ser un cargo público que dimite para salvar a un superior.
Se dice 'fusible de repuesto'.
Sí, en muchos países de América Latina es muy común.
Es una forma coloquial en España de decir que se fue la luz o que alguien perdió los estribos.
Teste-se 1 perguntas
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Summary
The word 'fusible' is a masculine noun essential for discussing electrical safety and repairs. For example: 'Se fundió el fusible' means 'The fuse blew'. It also has a common metaphorical use in politics for a 'scapegoat' or 'sacrificial official'.
- A 'fusible' is a masculine noun in Spanish meaning 'fuse', used primarily in electrical and automotive contexts to describe a safety component.
- Commonly paired with the verb 'fundirse' (to blow/melt) or 'cambiar' (to replace) when discussing household or car repairs.
- Metaphorically used in Spanish to describe a person, often a politician, who is sacrificed or resigns to protect a higher authority.
- Not to be confused with the adjective 'fundible', which means 'meltable', though both relate to the physical process of melting.
Gender Check
Always pair 'fusible' with masculine articles like 'el' or 'un'. Practice saying 'un fusible' five times.
Car Parts
If you learn 'fusible', also learn 'batería' and 'motor' to complete your car vocabulary.
Regionalism
In Spain, say 'plomos'. In Mexico, you might hear 'breaker'. Both refer to the same concept.
The Right Verb
Use 'fundir' (to melt) specifically for fuses. It's the most natural verb for this context.
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