Spanish Conversation · Level 55
75 words
Spanish word
desastre
Pronunciation
IPA/deˈsastɾe/
Meaning
- masculine noundisaster
Example
El proyecto fue un desastre.
The project was a disaster.
More examples
Hizo un desastre en la presentación.
He made a mess of the presentation.
Core concept
An occurrence that produces very large destruction or collapse, from natural calamities to catastrophic mistakes.
Common phrases
hacer un desastre
make a mess of
ser un desastre
be a disaster
desastre natural
natural disaster
Similar words
fracaso: Does not reach a planned goal or expected outcome in a particular endeavor.
ruina: Reduces value or utility so assets or structures become effectively unusable.
colapso: Triggers a sudden breakdown in an institution or system's normal operation.
Definition in Spanish
Evento que implica un daño o una ruina muy grandes, aplicado tanto a catástrofes naturales como a fracasos importantes.
Word origin
From Latin dis- 'not' + astrum 'star' through Italian disastro, literally 'badly starred' and figuratively 'great misfortune'.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech 'fue un desastre' often signals an utter flop or chaotic situation rather than an actual natural disaster, so check context for the intended severity.
Other meanings
- catastrophenoun
Related words
- desastrosodisastrousadjective
- desastrosamentedisastrouslyadverb