incidente
nounCEFR B2
What does “incidente” mean in English?
incident — an event, especially one that is problematic or requires official attention
incident — an event, especially one that is problematic or requires official attention (incidente diplomático; sin incidentes)
Example sentences
Las autoridades investigan el incidente ocurrido en la frontera durante la madrugada del sábado.
The authorities are investigating the incident that occurred at the border in the early hours of Saturday.
La manifestación transcurrió sin incidentes, según informaron los Mossos d'Esquadra.
The demonstration passed off without incident, according to the Mossos d'Esquadra.
El incidente diplomático entre los dos países tardó semanas en resolverse por vía negociada.
The diplomatic incident between the two countries took weeks to resolve through negotiation.
How to use it
El incidente (noun, masculine) refers to an event — usually unexpected or problematic — that requires attention. Key collocations: incidente diplomático; sin incidentes (without incident); incidente aislado; gestionar/investigar un incidente; incidente racista. Distinguish from accidente (accident — implying physical damage or injury) and suceso (event/occurrence — more neutral in news contexts). Sin incidentes is a very frequent fixed adverbial in journalism.
Common mistake
Incidente (event requiring attention) ≠ accidente (accident with physical harm). Sin incidentes is the standard news phrase for 'without incident' — do not say *sin incidencias when you mean 'without trouble' (incidencias is more IT/administrative). 'Isolated incident' = incidente aislado — do not say *incidente isolado.