quemarse (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Verb

Phonetic Transcription

• /keˈmaɾse/

Translation Options into English

• To burn oneself
• To get burned
• To get too involved (in a context)

Meaning and Usage

The verb quemarse translates to "to burn oneself" and is primarily used to describe the action of accidentally suffering a burn, whether from fire, heat, or sun exposure. In a broader context, it can also refer to getting overly involved in situations, often leading to negative consequences.

Frequency of Use

Quemarse is a commonly used verb in both oral and written Spanish, appearing frequently in both everyday conversation and literature. However, it tends to appear more often in oral speech due to its colloquial applications.

Example Sentences

1. Él se quemó mientras cocinaba.

2. (He burned himself while cooking.)

3. Si te expones al sol sin protector solar, te puedes quemar.

4. (If you expose yourself to the sun without sunscreen, you can get burned.)

5. No quiero quemarme en el trabajo por meterme en todo.

6. (I don't want to get burned at work by getting involved in everything.)

Idiomatic Expressions

Quemarse is used in various idiomatic expressions in Spanish, especially in colloquial contexts. Below are a few examples demonstrating its usage in idioms:

1. Quemarse las pestañas
2. Meaning: To study hard or stay up late working.
3. Example: Tuve que quemarme las pestañas toda la noche para terminar el proyecto.

4. (I had to burn the midnight oil all night to finish the project.)

5. Quemarse de manera figurada

6. Meaning: To get involved in a situation that leads to trouble, usually referring to social or emotional contexts.
7. Example: Si te quemas de manera figurada en este asunto, no habrá vuelta atrás.

8. (If you get burned figuratively in this matter, there will be no going back.)

9. Quemarse por el fuego ajeno

10. Meaning: To suffer the consequences of someone else's actions or mistakes.
11. Example: Ella se quemó por el fuego ajeno cuando apoyó esa idea fallida.

12. (She got burned by the fire of another when she supported that failed idea.)

13. Quemarse en el camino

14. Meaning: To encounter setbacks or dangers due to one's choices or paths taken.
15. Example: Si sigues así, te vas a quemar en el camino de la vida.
16. (If you keep this up, you are going to burn out on your life's path.)

Etymology

The word quemarse comes from the Latin verb "combūrere," which means "to burn up" or "to consume by fire." The prefix "quemar" means "to burn," and the reflexive form "quemarse" indicates the subject is burning themselves.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms:
• Incinerarse (to incinerate)

• Arder (to blaze or burn)

• Antonyms:

• Enfriarse (to cool down)
• Apagar (to extinguish)

This comprehensive overview provides an in-depth look at the word "quemarse" within multiple contexts of the Spanish language.