fracasar
Lemma Details
Translation: to fail; to be unsuccessful; to flop; to collapse; to come to nothing
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Derived from Italian 'fracassare' meaning 'to shatter or break into pieces', which comes from Latin 'quassare' (to shake violently). The word evokes the image of something breaking apart or collapsing, which metaphorically represents failure. The English word 'fracas' (a noisy disturbance or brawl) shares the same Italian root.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El proyecto fracasó por falta de fondos.
The project failed due to lack of funds.
Si no te preparas bien, vas a fracasar en el examen.
If you don't prepare well, you're going to fail the exam.
Muchos negocios fracasan en su primer año.
Many businesses fail in their first year.
No temas fracasar; es parte del aprendizaje.
Don't fear failing; it's part of learning.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'fracasar' as creating a 'fracas' (disturbance) when something fails.
- The 'frac' in 'fracasar' sounds like 'wreck' – when you fail, you wreck your plans.
- Imagine a 'fracture' in your plans when they 'fracasar' (fail).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of 'fracasar' carries significant weight in discussions about personal and professional life. There's often a cultural emphasis on avoiding public failure, though this is changing with younger generations who increasingly embrace the Silicon Valley notion that failure is part of the path to success.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Fracasar' means 'to fail' while 'fraccionar' means 'to divide into fractions or installments'.
Confused word:
Vamos a fraccionar el pago en tres partes.
We're going to divide the payment into three parts.
Notes: Both words share the 'frac-' root but have completely different meanings and uses in context.
Mnemonic: 'Fraccionar' has 'fraction' in it, which means dividing something; 'fracasar' sounds like 'fracas', a chaotic situation like a failure.
Explanation: 'Fracasar' means 'to fail' while 'fracturar' means 'to fracture or break'.
Notes: Both share etymological connections to breaking or shattering, but 'fracturar' is literal while 'fracasar' is figurative.
Mnemonic: 'Fracturar' relates to physical breaking (like a bone), while 'fracasar' is about metaphorical breaking (of plans or efforts).