Spanish Phrase
Los dos usan fuego alto.
Meaning
Both of them cook using high heat. In a kitchen context ‘fuego alto’ is the usual way to say ‘high flame’ or ‘high heat’, not literal fire.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re describing how two people (or two dishes, two chefs, etc.) prepare food on a stove, grill, or any cooking surface that can be set to a high temperature.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Losdosusanfuegoalto
Los (definite article)
Plural masculine article used before a noun or a noun phrase.
dos (cardinal numeral)
Means ‘two’; when placed after the article it forms ‘los dos’ = ‘both’.
usan (verb usar)
Third‑person plural present of ‘usar’ (to use).
fuego (noun)
Masculine noun meaning ‘fire’; in cooking it refers to the heat of the stove.
alto (adjective)
Adjective meaning ‘high/strong’; it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (fuego → alto).
🗨In Conversation
¿Cómo preparan la carne?
How do they prepare the meat?
Los dos usan fuego alto.
Both of them use high heat.
✕Common Mistakes
El dos usan fuego alto.
‘El’ is singular; the correct article for ‘dos’ is ‘los’ to mean ‘both’.
Los dos usó fuego alto.
‘Usó’ is past‑tense (he/she used). The sentence talks about a present habit, so ‘usan’ is required.
Los dos usan alto fuego.
Reversing the order changes the meaning to ‘heavy artillery’. Keep the adjective after the noun for the cooking sense.
↔Alternatives
Los dos cocinan a fuego alto.
Both of them cook on high heat.
Ambos usan fuego alto.
Both use high heat.
Los dos emplean fuego alto.
Both of them employ high heat.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking kitchens ‘fuego alto’ is a set phrase for the highest burner setting. In some regions you’ll also hear ‘fuego fuerte’ or simply ‘alto’ when the context is clear. Remember that ‘alto fuego’ (the reverse order) means ‘heavy artillery’ and is unrelated to cooking.