Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Firefighter in Spanish: Bombero
Bombero · noun (masculine) · bohm-BEH-roh
The Spanish word for firefighter is 'bombero,' derived from 'bomba' (pump), referring to the water pumps historically used to fight fires. The feminine form is 'bombera.' A fire station is called 'estación de bomberos' or 'cuartel de bomberos.'
Say bohm-BEH-roh, with three syllables and stress on the second. The feminine 'bombera' is bohm-BEH-rah.
Los bomberos llegaron rápidamente al lugar del incendio.
The firefighters arrived quickly at the scene of the fire.
Firefighter in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for firefighter, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| bombero | firefighter | bohm-BEH-roh | Default, widely understood |
| bombera | firefighter | feminine form for a female firefighter |
How Native Speakers Use Bombero
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Emergency call
¡Llama a los bomberos, hay un incendio en el edificio!
Call the firefighters, there's a fire in the building!
Responding to a fire emergency.
Career aspiration
Mi hijo quiere ser bombero cuando sea grande.
My son wants to be a firefighter when he grows up.
Discussing a child's career dream.
Rescue operation
La bombera rescató al gato atrapado en el techo.
The firefighter rescued the cat trapped on the roof.
Describing a rescue by a female firefighter.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Bombero
False cognate with bomber
Incorrect: The word 'bombero' looks like 'bomber' in English.
Correct: 'Bombero' means firefighter, not someone who drops bombs.
Despite the visual similarity, 'bombero' comes from 'bomba' meaning pump, not bomb. A military bomber is 'bombardero' in Spanish.
Not using feminine form
Incorrect: Ella es un bombero excelente.
Correct: Ella es una bombera excelente.
When referring to a female firefighter, use 'bombera' with the feminine article 'una' for proper gender agreement.
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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 Bombero used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using bombero in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Los bomberos llegaron rápidamente al lugar del incendio. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Firefighter in Spanish
- Why is the word bombero related to bomba?
- The word 'bombero' historically refers to the person who operates the 'bomba' (water pump) used to fight fires, reflecting the origins of firefighting equipment.
- How do you say fire station in Spanish?
- A fire station is called 'estación de bomberos' or 'cuartel de bomberos,' with 'cuartel' emphasizing the station as a base of operations.
- What is the emergency number for firefighters in Spanish-speaking countries?
- Emergency numbers vary by country: Spain uses 112, Mexico uses 911, and many other Latin American countries have their own numbers, though 911 is becoming more widely adopted.