Spanish Phrase
¿Qué hacer si la ropa se te prende fuego?
Meaning
The sentence asks for advice on the immediate actions to take when your clothing catches fire. It is a safety‑oriented question that implies urgency and the need for quick, correct response.
When to use
Use this phrase in emergency‑training contexts, first‑aid classes, or any conversation about personal safety. It’s also handy when discussing fire‑prevention tips on social media or in a workplace safety briefing.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Quéhacersilaropaseteprendefuego?
Qué + infinitivo
In questions asking for advice, 'qué' is followed by an infinitive verb (e.g., ¿Qué hacer?) rather than a conjugated form.
se + pronominal verb
The verb 'prenderse' is used reflexively to indicate that something catches fire on its own.
te (indirect object pronoun)
Here 'te' refers to the person affected ('to you'), indicating that the fire is on your clothing.
prender fuego
The set phrase 'prender fuego' means 'to catch fire'. When used reflexively (prenderse fuego) it describes something that ignites itself.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué hacer si la ropa se te prende fuego?
What should I do if my clothes catch fire?
Primero, detente, tírate al suelo y rueda hasta apagar el fuego. Después, llama a emergencias y busca atención médica.
First, stop, drop to the ground and roll until the fire is out. Then call emergency services and seek medical attention.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Qué haces si la ropa se te prende fuego?
Use the infinitive 'hacer' after 'qué' in advice questions, not the conjugated 'haces'.
se te prende fuego la ropa
The natural order is 'la ropa se te prende fuego' – the subject (la ropa) comes before the reflexive construction.
la ropa prende fuego
When the fire is on something, use the reflexive form 'prenderse fuego', not just 'prender fuego'.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué debo hacer si se me prende fuego la ropa?
What should I do if my clothes catch fire?
¿Cómo actuar cuando la ropa se prende fuego?
How to act when the clothes catch fire?
¿Qué pasos seguir si la ropa se incendia?
What steps to follow if the clothes catch fire?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries the standard fire‑safety instruction is "¡Detente, tírate al suelo y rueda!" (Stop, drop, and roll). Safety campaigns often add "cubre tu cara" (cover your face) and "llama a emergencias" (call emergency services). Remember that the verb "prender" can also mean "to light" (e.g., prender una vela), so context matters.