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trance

trahn-seh/ˈtɾanθe/

“trance” means “ordeal” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

ordeal

Also: critical moment, predicament
NounmB2
Spain
A small bird flying through a heavy rainstorm with dark clouds.

📝 In Action

Superar ese trance amargo le tomó mucho tiempo.

B2

It took him a long time to get over that bitter ordeal.

Estamos en un trance decisivo para el futuro de la empresa.

C1

We are at a decisive stage for the future of the company.

No quisiera pasar por un trance así de nuevo.

B2

I wouldn't want to go through a situation like that again.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • brete (fix/tight spot)
  • aprieto (jam/difficulty)
  • situación (situation)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • trance difícil – difficult ordeal
  • último trance – final moments (often referring to death)
  • en todo trance – at any cost / in any case

Idioms & Expressions

  • a todo trance – Doing something regardless of the obstacles or consequences.

trance

Also: rapture
NounmC1
A person sitting peacefully with their eyes closed, surrounded by soft glowing swirls of light.

📝 In Action

El chamán entró en trance durante la ceremonia.

C1

The shaman entered a trance during the ceremony.

La música era tan envolvente que el público parecía estar en trance.

C1

The music was so immersive that the audience seemed to be in a trance.

Cayó en un trance hipnótico.

C2

He fell into a hypnotic trance.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • éxtasis (ecstasy)
  • enajenación (alienation/detachment)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • entrar en trance – to go into a trance
  • trance místico – mystical trance

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "trance" in Spanish:

critical moment→ordeal→predicament→rapture→trance→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: trance

Question 1 of 3

If someone says 'Fue un trance amargo,' what are they likely talking about?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tranzar(to braid or to compromise) — Verb
tranza(shady deal (Latin America)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Old French word 'trance' (meaning a passage or even the passage to death), which comes from the Latin 'transire' (to go across). It originally referred to the transition from life to death or from one state of being to another.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: transeEnglish: trance

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'trance' always mean a hypnotic state?

No. While it can mean a hypnotic state, in Spanish it very frequently means a 'difficult situation' or a 'critical moment.' Context is key!

Is 'trance' a common word in daily speech?

It is somewhat formal. In daily life, people might use 'momento difícil' or 'problema,' but you will see 'trance' often in books, news, and movies.

What does the phrase 'a todo trance' mean?

It means 'at any cost' or 'resolutely.' It describes doing something with total determination, no matter what happens.