pesadillas
“pesadillas” means “nightmares” in Spanish (scary dreams).
nightmares
Also: bad dreams, a recurring problem
📝 In Action
Tuve pesadillas horribles después de ver esa película de terror.
A2I had horrible nightmares after watching that horror movie.
Las pesadillas de la guerra lo persiguen todavía.
B1The nightmares of the war still haunt him.
Arreglar el coche se convirtió en una pesadilla de gastos y demoras.
B2Fixing the car turned into a nightmare of expenses and delays.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pesadillas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'pesadillas'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word comes from the older Spanish word 'pesa' (weight or burden). It combines 'pesa' with the diminutive suffix '-illa,' suggesting a feeling of heavy oppression or a weight pressing down on the sleeper, which was a historical explanation for bad dreams.
First recorded: Around the 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'pesadillas' usually plural, even if I only had one bad dream?
In Spanish, it's very common to use 'pesadillas' (plural) to refer to the general experience of having bad dreams, or the sensation itself, rather than counting individual instances. Think of it as a condition you suffer from.
How do I say 'I had a nightmare'?
You can say 'Tuve una pesadilla' (using the singular noun), but it's more common and natural to say 'Tuve pesadillas' (I had nightmares/the experience of having nightmares).