Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Coincidence in Spanish: Coincidencia
Coincidencia · noun · koh-een-see-DEHN-see-ah
Coincidencia is the Spanish word for coincidence, describing a remarkable occurrence of events happening at the same time without apparent connection. The more casual synonym 'casualidad' is often preferred in everyday conversation. Both words express surprise at unexpected connections or simultaneous happenings.
koh-een-see-DEHN-see-ah
¡Qué coincidencia encontrarte aquí en Madrid!
What a coincidence running into you here in Madrid!
Coincidence in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for coincidence, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| coincidencia | coincidence | koh-een-see-DEHN-see-ah | Default, widely understood |
| casualidad | coincidence | more colloquial |
How Native Speakers Use Coincidencia
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Chance encounter
Fue pura coincidencia que estuviéramos en el mismo vuelo.
It was pure coincidence that we were on the same flight.
Describing an unexpected meeting.
Casual usage
¡Qué casualidad! Yo también nací un quince de marzo.
What a coincidence! I was also born on March fifteenth.
Sharing a surprising similarity.
Skepticism
No creo en coincidencias — alguien planeó esto.
I don't believe in coincidences — someone planned this.
Expressing doubt about randomness.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Coincidencia
Spelling error
Incorrect: Fue una gran coidencia que nos encontráramos.
Correct: Fue una gran coincidencia que nos encontráramos.
The word must include the 'n' — coincidencia. Dropping it changes the pronunciation and creates a non-existent word. Remember it shares its root with the verb 'coincidir.'
Confusing with casualty
Incorrect: La casualidad del accidente fue grave.
Correct: La víctima del accidente fue atendida de gravedad.
Casualidad means coincidence or chance, not casualty. The English word 'casualty' translates as 'víctima' or 'baja' in Spanish. This is a false friend between the two languages.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Coincidencia used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Coincidence in Spanish
- What is the difference between coincidencia and casualidad?
- Coincidencia emphasizes two or more events occurring simultaneously or matching unexpectedly. Casualidad stresses the role of chance or randomness in an event. In practice, they are often interchangeable, but casualidad sounds slightly more colloquial and is used more in the phrase 'por casualidad' (by chance).
- How do I say 'by coincidence' in Spanish?
- The most common expressions are 'por coincidencia' and 'por casualidad.' You can also say 'de casualidad' or 'casualmente.' For example: 'Nos encontramos por casualidad en el aeropuerto' (We met by coincidence at the airport).
- Is coincidencia a cognate with the English word?
- Coincidencia is a near-perfect cognate with 'coincidence' — both derive from the Latin 'coincidere' (to fall together). The spelling, meaning, and usage are extremely similar, making this one of the easiest vocabulary words for English speakers to remember.