Spanish Conversation · Level 147
30 words
Spanish word
jaque
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈxake/
Meaning
- masculine nouncheck
Example
El escándalo dejó en jaque al alcalde.
The scandal put the mayor in check.
More examples
En la última jugada, el oponente dio jaque al rey.
In the last move, the opponent put the king in check.
Core concept
King under direct threat on a chessboard requiring an immediate response.
Common phrases
poner en jaque
place in jeopardy
estar en jaque
be under threat
dejar en jaque
leave at risk
Similar words
amenaza: A looming possibility of harm, loss, or damage that creates concern.
presión: External demands or forces that push someone into urgent action or compromise.
aprieto: A predicament that traps someone in difficulty with no easy escape.
peligro: A clear and present risk that could cause injury, death, or major loss.
Definition in Spanish
Significa, en ajedrez, la amenaza directa al rey y, en sentido figurado, una situación que obliga a tomar medidas urgentes.
Word origin
From Persian shāh 'king', entering Arabic chess vocabulary and passing through Romance languages into Spanish as jaque, retaining the sense of a threat to the king.
Usage tips
- Commonly used in the phrase poner en jaque to mean placing someone or something under serious pressure and it sounds exaggerated when applied to minor problems.
Other meanings
- crisisnoun
Opposites
- seguridadsecuritynoun
- tranquilidadcalmnoun