odio
/OH-dyoh/
hatred
The noun 'odio' (hatred) is depicted as a heart consumed by dark, destructive energy.
📝 In Action
El odio entre las dos familias era muy antiguo.
B1The hatred between the two families was very old.
La película trata sobre el amor y el odio.
B1The movie is about love and hatred.
No dejes que el odio controle tu vida.
B2Don't let hatred control your life.
💡 Grammar Points
'Odio' is a Masculine Noun
Even though it doesn't end in '-o', 'odio' is a masculine word. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it, like 'el odio' (the hatred) or 'un odio profundo' (a deep hatred).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong Gender
Mistake: "La odio es mala."
Correction: El odio es malo. ('Odio' is a masculine word in Spanish, so any words that describe it, like 'malo', also need to be masculine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Noun vs. Verb
In everyday chat, people often use the verb 'odiar' (to hate) more than the noun 'odio' (hatred). It's more common to hear 'Odio los lunes' (I hate Mondays) than 'Siento odio por los lunes' (I feel hatred for Mondays).
The verb form odio means 'I hate', shown here as a character expressing strong dislike for a chore.
📝 In Action
Odio levantarme temprano los domingos.
A2I hate getting up early on Sundays.
Odio cuando la gente habla en el cine.
B1I hate when people talk in the movie theater.
Te soy sincero, odio las sorpresas.
A2I'll be honest with you, I hate surprises.
💡 Grammar Points
Hating Things vs. Hating Actions
You can hate a thing: 'Odio el tráfico' (I hate traffic). To say you hate doing something, just follow 'odio' with the basic '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form of a verb: 'Odio esperar' (I hate to wait).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Hating People? Add an 'a'
Mistake: "Odio mi vecino."
Correction: Odio a mi vecino. (When the person or pet you hate is specific, you need to add the little word 'a' right after the verb. It's called the 'personal a' and it shows you're talking about a living being.)
⭐ Usage Tips
A Very Strong Word
'Odiar' is just as strong as 'to hate' in English. For everyday dislikes, it's much more common and natural to say 'No me gusta...' (I don't like...). Save 'odio' for things you feel very strongly about.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: odio
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'odio' to mean the feeling of hatred (a noun)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'odiar' and 'no me gusta'?
'Odiar' means 'to hate' and is a very strong word, just like in English. 'No me gusta' simply means 'I don't like'. For most everyday things, like a food you dislike or a boring movie, 'no me gusta' is the more common and natural choice. Use 'odio' when you want to express a powerful, intense feeling of dislike.
Can I say 'te odio' to someone?
You can, but be very careful. 'Te odio' means 'I hate you', and it is extremely strong and hurtful. It's not used lightly or jokingly in the way English speakers might sometimes say 'I hate you' in a playful moment. In Spanish, it's almost always meant literally and can be very damaging to a relationship.