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opresión

oh-pre-SYON/o.pɾeˈsjon/

“opresión” means “oppression” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

oppression

Also: tyranny, hardship
NounfB2
A heavy black iron weight resting on top of a tiny, fragile green plant sprout.

📝 In Action

Muchos ciudadanos lucharon valientemente contra la opresión.

B1

Many citizens fought bravely against oppression.

La historia del país está marcada por años de opresión política.

B2

The history of the country is marked by years of political oppression.

Debemos identificar las formas sutiles de opresión en nuestra sociedad.

C1

We must identify the subtle forms of oppression in our society.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tiranía (tyranny)
  • represión (repression)
  • sumisión (submission)

Antonyms

  • libertad (freedom)
  • emancipación (emancipation)

Common Collocations

  • opresión sistemática – systemic oppression
  • liberarse de la opresión – to free oneself from oppression
  • bajo la opresión – under oppression

tightness, pressure

Also: weight
NounfB1
A hand squeezing a soft, blue rubber ball, causing it to bulge out between the fingers.

📝 In Action

Siento una fuerte opresión en el pecho cuando estoy nervioso.

B1

I feel a strong tightness in my chest when I am nervous.

La opresión del vendaje era demasiado fuerte.

B2

The pressure from the bandage was too strong.

Al entrar en la habitación, sintió una extraña opresión en el ambiente.

C1

Upon entering the room, he felt a strange heaviness in the air.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • presión (pressure)
  • ahogo (suffocation/shortness of breath)
  • pesadez (heaviness)

Antonyms

  • alivio (relief)
  • relajación (relaxation)

Common Collocations

  • opresión en el pecho – tightness in the chest
  • sentir opresión – to feel pressure/tightness

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: opresión

Question 1 of 3

If you go to a doctor and feel like your chest is being squeezed, you should say:

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
oprimir(to oppress / to press) — Verb
opresor(oppressor) — Noun
oprimido(oppressed) — Adjective
opresivo(oppressive) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
canciónpasiónacción
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'oppressio', which describes the act of pressing down or crushing. It comes from the verb 'opprimere' (to press against).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: oppressionFrench: oppressionItalian: oppressione

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'opresión' only for politics?

No. While very common in politics, it is also used in medicine to describe a feeling of squeezing or heaviness in the body, like 'chest tightness'.

Is it 'el' or 'la' opresión?

It is always 'la'. Words ending in -ción are feminine in Spanish.

Can I use 'opresión' for a heavy atmosphere in a room?

Yes! You can use it figuratively to describe a 'heavy' or 'tense' feeling in the air or environment.