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petardo means firecracker — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: October 18, 2025

😆 Funny Words

petardo

noun • /[pe-TAR-do]/

firecracker

Example:

Ese petardo retumbó en toda la calle.

That firecracker boomed down the street.

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🧠 What does petardo mean?

Petardo primarily means "firecracker" in Spanish. Think of the small, noisy explosives you light on special occasions. However, it also has a slang meaning: "a dud" or "a failure," often referring to a disappointing event or a person who doesn't live up to expectations.

📚 Extra examples

  • ¡El concierto fue un petardo! La banda tocó fatal.
    The concert was a dud! The band played terribly.
  • Compré un coche usado, pero resultó ser un petardo.
    I bought a used car, but it turned out to be a lemon.
  • Encendimos muchos petardos para celebrar el Año Nuevo.
    We lit many firecrackers to celebrate New Year's.
  • No invites a Juan a la fiesta, ¡es un petardo!
    Don't invite Juan to the party, he's a total dud!

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'firecracker' in Spanish?
The most common translation is 'petardo.' Other options include 'cohete,' 'buscapiés,' and 'pirotecnia' (for fireworks in general).
How do you pronounce 'petardo' in Spanish?
It's pronounced peh-TAR-doh. The stress is on the second syllable.
How do you use 'petardo' in a sentence?
You can use it literally to talk about firecrackers (e.g., 'Encendimos un petardo'). Figuratively, you might say 'La película fue un petardo' (The movie was a dud).
What is the English translation of 'petardo'?
Primarily, it means 'firecracker.' It can also mean 'dud,' 'lemon,' or 'flop' in a figurative sense.
Does 'petardo' change for gender or number?
Yes. The plural is 'petardos.' It doesn't have a feminine form in its literal meaning, but figuratively, it can be used with feminine nouns (e.g., 'La fiesta fue una petarda').
Is 'petardo' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, especially the slang meaning. It's informal but widely understood.
Does 'petardo' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, the slang meaning of 'dud' or 'failure' is very common.
Is 'petardo' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While the core meaning is the same, the slang usage might be more frequent in some regions than others. It's generally understood across the Spanish-speaking world.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "petardo"

Synonyms: cohete, buscapiés, pirotecnia, fracaso, chasco, fiasco
Opposites: éxito, triunfo

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'petardo' comes from the verb 'petar,' which means 'to explode' or 'to break wind' (informal). This explains the double meaning of 'petardo' as both a firecracker and something that's a flop!

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