Spanish Phrase
Se fue la luz.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to 'The light went away.' It is the most common way to describe a power outage or blackout in Spanish-speaking households. The verb 'irse' is used reflexively to indicate that the electricity has departed or disappeared.
When to use
Use this phrase immediately when the electricity stops working in your home, office, or a public space. It is appropriate for both informal conversations with family and formal reports to a landlord or utility company.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sefuelaluz
Se fue
This is the third-person singular preterite form of the reflexive verb 'irse', meaning 'to go away' or 'to leave'.
La luz
Literally 'the light', this noun is used metonymically in Spanish to represent the electrical supply.
🗨In Conversation
¡Ay no! Se fue la luz en medio de la película.
Oh no! The power went out in the middle of the movie.
Voy a buscar unas velas en la cocina.
I am going to look for some candles in the kitchen.
✕Common Mistakes
La luz se fue.
While grammatically correct, placing the subject first is less common in this specific idiomatic expression; 'Se fue la luz' is the standard word order.
El poder se fue.
Avoid using 'poder' for electricity. While 'poder' means power in terms of strength or authority, 'luz' is the term used for electrical service.
↔Alternatives
Hubo un apagón.
There was a blackout.
No hay electricidad.
There is no electricity.
Cultural Tip
In many Latin American countries, 'la luz' refers not just to the physical light but to the entire electrical system and the utility company itself. You will often hear people say 'llegó la luz' (the light arrived) when the power is restored.