Spanish word

cortocircuito

Pronunciation

IPA/koɾtoθiɾˈkwito/

Meaning

  • masculine nounshort circuit

Example

Cuando enchufé la lámpara, se produjo un cortocircuito.

When I plugged in the lamp, there was a short circuit.

Illustration for cortocircuito (short circuit)

More examples

El fusible evitó un cortocircuito mayor.

The fuse prevented a larger short circuit.

Core concept

Accidental contact between conductors producing an abnormally high current flow.

Common phrases

  • hacer un cortocircuito

    cause a short circuit

  • provocar un cortocircuito

    trigger a short circuit

Similar words

sobrecarga: Excessive electrical load or current that overheats wiring or devices and risks damage.
falla eléctrica: Malfunction in an electrical system that prevents components or appliances from operating normally.

Definition in Spanish

Defecto eléctrico causado por el contacto accidental entre dos conductores que provoca un paso anormalmente alto de corriente.

Word origin

Built from corto 'short' + circuito 'circuit' (with circuito ultimately from Latin circuitus), the compound literally names the electrical fault of an excessive current.

Usage tips

  • Speakers commonly use cortocircuito figuratively for a process, decision, or conversation that is cut off suddenly, so context must show whether the meaning is literal or metaphorical.

Related words

  • cortocircuitarseshort-circuitverb

Word lists with this word