Noun
/ˈbɾasa/
The word "brasa" commonly refers to the glowing embers of a fire. It indicates not just the ashen remnants but specifically those parts that are still hot and capable of producing heat or flames. In general language usage, "brasa" can also convey a sense of intense emotion, particularly in contexts of anger or passion.
In daily speech, "brasa" is frequently used in both oral and written Spanish, but it may appear more often in conversational contexts than formal written texts.
La barbacoa está llena de brasas.
The barbecue is full of embers.
Cuando se enfadó, su rostro ardía como una brasa.
When he got angry, his face burned like an ember.
La brasa de la fogata iluminaba la noche.
The embers of the campfire lit up the night.
"Brasa" also appears in several idiomatic expressions:
Echar leña al fuego (To throw wood on the fire) - This expression is used to indicate that someone is inciting or worsening a situation; it can also relate to worsening an argument.
No le eches más leña al fuego, ya está bastante tenso. (Don’t throw more wood on the fire; it’s already quite tense.)
Estar en brasas (To be in embers) - This phrase is used to describe someone who is in a state of extreme discomfort or irritation.
Después de la discusión, estaba en brasas. (After the argument, he was in embers.)
Ponerse como una brasa (To become like a coal) - This means to become very angry or embarrassed.
Se puso como una brasa cuando lo llamaron por su error. (He became like a coal when they called him out for his mistake.)
Ser un fuego llamado brasa (To be a fire called ember) - Used metaphorically to describe someone or something that continues to burn softly or smolder despite being somewhat contained.
Su amor por la música es un fuego llamado brasa que nunca se apaga. (His love for music is a fire called ember that never goes out.)
Trabajar a brasa caliente (To work on hot embers) - This expression is used to describe working under pressure or in challenging conditions.
Estuvo trabajando a brasa caliente durante toda la semana. (He was working on hot embers all week.)
The origin of the word "brasa" can be traced back to the Latin word "brasa," referring to a burning or glowing coal. This Latin term has carried over into modern Spanish, retaining similar meanings.
This comprehensive information highlights the multi-faceted use of "brasa" in both literal and figurative contexts in the Spanish language.