tormento
“tormento” means “torment” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
torment
Also: anguish, torture
📝 In Action
La espera de los resultados fue un tormento para ella.
B1Waiting for the results was a torment for her.
El dolor de muelas se convirtió en un verdadero tormento.
B1The toothache became a real torture.
Vivió el tormento de estar lejos de su familia por años.
B2He lived through the anguish of being away from his family for years.
pain
Also: nuisance
📝 In Action
Ese niño es un tormento cuando tiene hambre.
B2That child is a real pain when he is hungry.
Mis vecinos y su música alta son un tormento diario.
B2My neighbors and their loud music are a daily nuisance.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tormento
Question 1 of 3
Which word would you use to describe a physical rainstorm with lightning?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'tormentum,' which originally referred to a twisted rope or an engine of war used for throwing stones. It later came to mean an instrument of torture, and eventually, the pain itself.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tormento' only for physical pain?
No, it is very frequently used for mental anguish, emotional distress, or even just very annoying daily situations.
What is the difference between 'tormento' and 'tormenta'?
A 'tormenta' (feminine) is a storm in the sky. A 'tormento' (masculine) is a storm in your heart or body—suffering.
Can I use 'tormento' to describe a woman?
Yes. Even if you are describing a woman, the word stays 'tormento' because the grammatical gender of the word itself is masculine (e.g., 'Ella es un tormento').