Spanish word

apuro

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈpuɾo/

Meaning

  • masculine nountrouble

Example

Sin dinero, ella está en apuros.

Without money, she is in trouble.

Illustration for apuro (trouble)

More examples

Olvidó el pasaporte y se metió en un apuro.

She forgot her passport and got into a tight spot.

Core concept

A predicament that leaves little margin for delay.

Common phrases

  • estar en apuros

    be in a tight spot

  • salir de un apuro

    get out of a tight spot

  • meterse en un apuro

    get into a tight spot

Similar words

problema: A problem that must be resolved or fixed.
contratiempo: An unexpected setback that disrupts plans or timing.
dificultad: Something that makes progress difficult and requires extra effort.
aprieto: A tight, pressing situation that demands swift handling.

Definition in Spanish

Situación difícil o urgente que causa problemas y requiere una solución pronto.

Word origin

Formed by adding the noun ending -o to the verb apurar 'to hurry or press', the word refers to a trouble or predicament that demands prompt attention.

Usage tips

  • The adjective phrase estar apurado means to be rushed or in a hurry, whereas estar en apuros means to be in trouble.

Other meanings

  • predicamentnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • apurarrushverb
  • apuradohurriedadjective

Word lists with this word