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"Spark" is a noun which is often translated as "la chispa", and "trigger" is a noun which is often translated as "el gatillo". Learn more about the difference between "spark" and "trigger" below.
spark(
spark
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
2. (liveliness)
a. la chispa (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Your friend's a really fun person to be around. She's got a lot of spark.Es muy divertido estar con tu amiga. Tiene mucha chispa.
3. (trace)
4. (figurative) (cause)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. la chispa (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The assassination of the Archduke was the spark that caused the outbreak of World War I.El asesinato del archiduque fue la chispa que provocó el estallido de la Primera Guerra Mundial.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. echar chispas
When I started the engine, it made a bang and started to spark.Cuando arranqué el motor, hizo bum y empezó a echar chispas.
b. chispear
The machinery sparked, shuddered, and then exploded.La maquinaria chispeó, se estremeció y después estalló.
c. chisporrotear
The fire crackled and sparked, and we bundled up to get warm.El fuego crujía y chisporroteaba, y nosotros nos abrigamos para entrar en calor.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to cause)
a. provocar
The administration's new policy sparked a lot of criticism from the middle class.La nueva política de esta administración provocó muchas críticas de la clase media.
b. desatar
The mass shooting sparked a lot of debates about gun control.El atentado desató mucho debate sobre el control de armas.
c. desencadenar
The scandal sparked a series of events that would ruin his career.El escándalo desencadenó una serie de sucesos que acabaría con su carrera.
d. despertar (interest)
Something about the cover of the book sparked my interest.Algo en la portada del libro despertó mi interés.
trigger(
trih
-
guhr
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (weaponry)
a. el gatillo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
This old gun is missing the trigger.A esta vieja pistola le falta el gatillo.
2. (mechanics)
a. el disparador (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Be careful, the trigger is quite sensitive.Ten cuidado, el disparador es muy sensible.
3. (catalyst)
a. el detonante (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
There was a question on the exam about the trigger for the First World War.En el examen hubo una pregunta sobre el detonante de la Primera Guerra Mundial.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to provoke)
b. desencadenar
The increase in taxi fares triggered lots of protests.La subida de los precios del taxi desencadenó muchas protestas.
c. hacer estallar
The explosives expert was able to trigger the bomb safely.El artificiero consiguió hacer estallar la bomba de forma segura.
