angustia
/ahn-GOOS-tyah/
anguish
A person feeling deep emotional pain, illustrating the noun 'angustia'.
angustia(noun)
anguish
?deep emotional pain or distress
,distress
?a state of great worry or suffering
anxiety
?a feeling of unease or nervousness
,heartache
?deep sorrow or grief
📝 In Action
Sentí una gran angustia cuando no encontraba mis llaves.
B1I felt a great sense of distress when I couldn't find my keys.
Su rostro reflejaba la angustia por la noticia.
B2His face reflected the anguish caused by the news.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Articles
Even though it ends in 'a', this is a feminine noun. Use 'la angustia' or 'una angustia' when talking about it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Feeling vs. Being
Mistake: "Estoy angustia."
Correction: Say 'Tengo angustia' (I have anguish) or 'Estoy angustiado' (I am distressed). In Spanish, you often 'have' feelings rather than 'being' them.
⭐ Usage Tips
Physicality of the word
Angustia often implies a physical sensation, like a tightness in the chest, making it stronger than just 'preocupación' (worry).
A scene showing how a situation causes someone distress, illustrating the verb 'angustia'.
angustia(verb)
distresses
?when something causes someone pain
,worries
?when something makes someone anxious
📝 In Action
Ese ruido me angustia mucho.
B1That noise distresses me a lot.
¡No me angustia con tus problemas ahora!
B2Don't distress me with your problems now!
💡 Grammar Points
Dual use
This specific word 'angustia' works as the form for 'he/she/it' and 'you (formal)' in the present, but also as a command for a friend (tú).
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: angustia
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the most accurate way to say 'I feel anguish'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'angustia' the same as 'ansiedad'?
They are very similar, but 'angustia' usually feels more physical and heavy, like a pressure in the chest, while 'ansiedad' is often used for the mental state of worrying about what might happen next.
Can I use 'angustia' as a verb?
Yes! While it is a noun, 'angustia' is also a form of the verb 'angustiar'. For example: 'Esa película me angustia' (That movie distresses me).