espantoso
/ess-pahn-TOH-soh/
awful
An extremely unpleasant smell or sight, like this rotten fruit, can be described as espantoso (awful).
espantoso(adjective)
awful
?extremely unpleasant or bad
,horrible
?terrible quality or experience
dreadful
?general negative description
,hideous
?describing appearance
📝 In Action
La comida en ese restaurante era espantosa.
A2The food in that restaurant was awful.
Llevaba un traje espantoso a la boda.
B1He wore a hideous suit to the wedding.
Tuvimos un tráfico espantoso al salir de la ciudad.
B1We had dreadful traffic leaving the city.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
Since 'espantoso' is an adjective, make sure it matches the thing it describes in gender (o/a) and number (s/es). E.g., 'una película espantosa' (a horrible movie).
⭐ Usage Tips
Extreme Negative
'Espantoso' is stronger than 'malo' (bad). Use it when you want to emphasize that something is truly terrible or shocking in a negative way.
Something that causes great fear is espantoso (frightening).
espantoso(adjective)
frightening
?causing fear
,terrifying
?inspiring terror
frightful
?literary use
📝 In Action
Vimos una criatura espantosa en el bosque.
B1We saw a frightening creature in the forest.
La caída desde esa altura debe haber sido una experiencia espantosa.
B2The fall from that height must have been a terrifying experience.
⭐ Usage Tips
Root Connection
Remember that 'espantoso' comes from 'espantar' (to scare). This meaning focuses on the feeling of being scared or shocked.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: espantoso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'espantoso' to mean 'extremely bad quality,' rather than 'frightening'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'espantoso' different from 'terrible'?
Both words are strong negative adjectives, but 'espantoso' usually implies a greater sense of shock, disgust, or extreme badness. 'Terrible' is very common and can sometimes be used more lightly, while 'espantoso' often carries more weight, meaning 'truly awful' or 'hideous.'