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pesadilla

/peh-sah-DEE-yah/

nightmare

A simple illustration of a child sleeping soundly in a dark room. A large, stylized shadow monster with sharp features looms menacingly over the child's bed.

This image illustrates "pesadilla" as a scary or distressing dream (nightmare).

pesadilla(noun)

fA2

nightmare

?

a scary or distressing dream

Also:

bad dream

?

general term for a frightening dream

📝 In Action

Anoche tuve una pesadilla muy vívida donde me perseguía un monstruo.

A2

Last night I had a very vivid nightmare where a monster was chasing me.

Cuando era niño, las pesadillas me daban mucho miedo y lloraba.

B1

When I was a child, nightmares scared me a lot and I would cry.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sueño malo (bad dream)
  • terror nocturno (night terror)

Common Collocations

  • tener una pesadilla – to have a nightmare
  • despertarse de una pesadilla – to wake up from a nightmare

💡 Grammar Points

Gender is Fixed

'Pesadilla' is always feminine, so use 'la' or 'una' before it, even though the word 'peso' (weight) is masculine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Tener'

To say you experienced a nightmare, use the verb 'tener' (to have): 'Tuve una pesadilla' (I had a nightmare).

A colorful illustration showing a person straining and sweating profusely while trying to push a massive gray boulder up a steep green hill, symbolizing an overwhelming task.

“Pesadilla” can also refer to a difficult or stressful situation, like tackling an overwhelming task or burden.

pesadilla(noun)

fB2

nightmare

?

difficult or stressful situation

Also:

ordeal

?

a prolonged and unpleasant experience

,

hassle

?

a complicated or annoying problem

📝 In Action

Intentar conseguir los permisos fue una pesadilla burocrática.

B2

Trying to get the permits was a bureaucratic nightmare.

La construcción de la casa se convirtió en una pesadilla financiera para ellos.

C1

The construction of the house turned into a financial nightmare for them.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • calvario (ordeal)
  • suplicio (torment)

Antonyms

  • maravilla (wonder)
  • gozo (joy)

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Ser' and 'Convertirse'

When referring to a situation, you often use 'ser' (to be) or 'convertirse en' (to turn into): 'Es una pesadilla' or 'Se convirtió en una pesadilla'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pesadilla

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'pesadilla' in its figurative sense (meaning a difficult situation)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

sueño(dream / sleep) - noun
soñar(to dream) - verb
sueño ligero(light sleep) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pesadilla' masculine or feminine?

'Pesadilla' is always feminine (la pesadilla, una pesadilla). Do not be fooled by the word 'peso' (weight), which is masculine; the full word 'pesadilla' takes feminine articles.

¿Cómo se dice 'to have a nightmare'?

You say 'tener una pesadilla' (to have a nightmare). The verb 'tener' is used, not 'hacer'.