Spanish word

fiasco

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfjasko/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfiasco

Example

La película fue un fiasco.

The movie was a fiasco.

Illustration for fiasco (fiasco)

More examples

La presentación acabó en un fiasco por problemas técnicos.

The presentation ended in a fiasco because of technical problems.

Core concept

Performers taking a bow to awkward silence and scattered jeers.

Common phrases

  • acabar en un fiasco

    end in a fiasco

  • convertirse en un fiasco

    turn into a fiasco

Similar words

fracaso: Failure to achieve an expected goal or result, applied broadly to plans or projects.
bochorno: Embarrassing public incident that causes shame and awkward discomfort for those present.
chasco: Sharp disappointment when expectations or promises are betrayed or fall through.

Definition in Spanish

Un fracaso público y estrepitoso en el que algo planeado sale muy mal.

Word origin

Via Italian theatrical slang (fare fiasco) from Italian fiasco 'bottle', used metaphorically for a spectacle that fails spectacularly and adopted into Spanish with that sense.

Usage tips

  • Used chiefly for dramatic, publicly visible failures (a film, event, or launch); for everyday failures, Spanish speakers prefer fracaso or error.

Other meanings

  • failurenoun
  • debaclenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word