Spanish word

incidente

Pronunciation

IPA/inθiˈðente/

Meaning

  • masculine nounincident

Example

Fue un incidente sin importancia.

It was a minor incident.

Illustration for incidente (incident)

More examples

En la carretera hubo un incidente de tráfico, pero todo se resolvió rápido.

There was a traffic incident on the road, but everything was resolved quickly.

Core concept

Sudden minor event producing confusion or alarm.

Common phrases

  • incidente de tráfico

    traffic incident

  • un incidente menor

    a minor incident

Similar words

percance: Small everyday mishap that causes inconvenience or mild trouble.
contratiempo: Unexpected setback that delays plans or disrupts schedules.
accidente: Sudden event that causes injury, damage, or physical harm.

Definition in Spanish

Acontecimiento breve y no planificado que suele provocar alarma, confusión o perjuicio leve en un momento dado.

Word origin

Built from Latin incidere (in- 'into' + cadere 'to fall'), keeping the original sense of something that 'falls upon' people as an occurrence.

Usage tips

  • Spanish incidente often implies a minor mishap, so translating it automatically as a serious 'incident' in English can overstate the situation.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word