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suspenso

soo-SPEN-so/susˈpenso/

suspense

Also: thriller, uncertainty
NounmB1
A child peering around a corner with wide eyes and a curious expression.

📝 In Action

La película tiene mucho suspenso.

A2

The movie has a lot of suspense.

No me mantengas más en suspenso, dime la verdad.

B1

Don't keep me in suspense any longer, tell me the truth.

El director es un maestro del suspenso.

B2

The director is a master of suspense.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • resolución (resolution)
  • claridad (clarity)

Common Collocations

  • película de suspenso – suspense/thriller movie
  • mantener el suspenso – to maintain the suspense
  • en suspenso – in suspense / on hold

Idioms & Expressions

  • quedarse con el alma en un hilo – to be in great suspense or anxiety

failing grade

Also: fail
NounmB1
Spain
A sad student looking at a paper with a large red cross marked on it.

📝 In Action

He sacado un suspenso en matemáticas.

B1

I got a failing grade in math.

Si sacas otro suspenso, no podrás ir al viaje.

B1

If you get another fail, you won't be able to go on the trip.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • sacar un suspenso – to get a failing grade

stunned

Also: suspended, amazed
AdjectivemC1formal
A person standing still with wide eyes and their hands on their cheeks in surprise.

📝 In Action

Se quedó suspenso ante la belleza del paisaje.

C1

He was left stunned by the beauty of the landscape.

La sesión quedó suspensa hasta nuevo aviso.

C1

The session was suspended until further notice.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • atónito (astonished)
  • pasmado (speechless)
  • paralizado (paralyzed)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: suspenso

Question 1 of 3

If you are in Spain and you get 'un suspenso', how should you feel?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
suspender(to fail / to suspend) — Verb
suspensión(suspension) — Noun
suspensivo(causing suspense / ellipsis) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'suspensus', which is the past version of 'suspendere' (to hang up or leave hanging).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: suspenseFrench: suspens

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'suspenso' and 'suspense'?

In Latin America, 'suspenso' is used for both the feeling and the movie genre. In Spain, they often use the English-style word 'suspense' for movies and 'suspenso' specifically for a failing grade.

Is 'suspenso' the same as 'suspendido'?

They are related! 'Suspendido' is the regular verb form (e.g., 'He suspendido el examen' - I have failed the exam). 'Suspenso' is used as a noun (the grade itself) or a formal adjective (stunned).

Can I use 'suspenso' for a person?

Yes, as a formal adjective. If you say 'ella se quedó suspensa', it means she was left stunned or speechless.