I am angry
in SpanishEstoy enojado/a
/ehs-TOY eh-noh-HAH-doh / dah/
This is the most common and direct way to say 'I am angry' in Spanish. Remember to use 'enojado' if you identify as male and 'enojada' if you identify as female.
Expressing feelings like anger is a key part of communicating. 'Estoy enojado/a' is the most common way to say 'I am angry' across the Spanish-speaking world.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Estoy enfadado/a
/ehs-TOY ehn-fah-DAH-doh / dah/
This is the go-to phrase for 'I am angry' in Spain, used in exactly the same way as 'estoy enojado/a' is in Latin America. It's the standard term you'll hear on the Iberian Peninsula.
Estoy molesto/a
/ehs-TOY moh-LEHS-toh / tah/
A slightly milder and very common alternative, this is closer to 'I am annoyed,' 'bothered,' or 'upset.' It's less confrontational than 'enojado' or 'enfadado'.
Estoy de mal humor
/ehs-TOY deh mahl oo-MOR/
This literally means 'I am of a bad mood,' and it's the perfect equivalent of 'I'm in a bad mood.' It describes a general state rather than anger at a specific person or event.
Estoy cabreado/a
/ehs-TOY kah-breh-AH-doh / dah/
This is a strong, informal, and slightly vulgar term used primarily in Spain. It's the equivalent of saying 'I'm pissed off.' The verb 'cabrear' comes from 'cabra' (goat), so think of a stubborn, angry goat.
Estoy bravo/a
/ehs-TOY BRAH-voh / vah/
In many Latin American countries (like Peru, Colombia, Venezuela), 'bravo/a' means 'angry.' This is a major regional difference, because in Spain, 'bravo' means 'brave' or 'fierce.'
Tengo rabia
/TEN-goh RAH-bee-ah/
This translates to 'I have rage.' It's a stronger expression, indicating a deeper level of anger or fury. It focuses on the feeling itself.
Estoy de mala leche
/ehs-TOY deh MAH-lah LEH-cheh/
Literally 'I am of bad milk,' this is a very colloquial Spanish expression for being in a foul mood or being angry. It's similar to 'estoy de mal humor' but much more informal.
Me enoja que...
/meh eh-NO-hah keh.../
This structure means 'It angers me that...' and shifts the focus from your feeling to the cause of your anger. It's a very common and natural way to express frustration about a situation.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right word for 'angry' depends on intensity and region. Here's a quick comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Intensity | Best For | Main Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estoy molesto/a | Mild | Expressing annoyance or being bothered without being confrontational. | Universal |
| Estoy enojado/a | Medium | The standard, direct way to say 'I'm angry.' | Latin America |
| Estoy enfadado/a | Medium | The standard, direct way to say 'I'm angry' in Spain. | Spain |
| Estoy bravo/a | Medium | Saying you're angry in countries like Peru or Colombia. | Andean Region, etc. |
| Estoy cabreado/a | High / Vulgar | Casually telling friends in Spain that you're 'pissed off.' | Spain (Informal) |
📈Difficulty Level
The sounds in 'enojado' and its variations are straightforward for English speakers. The 'j' sound is like the 'h' in 'hello'.
The main challenges are remembering to use 'estar' instead of 'ser' and correctly matching the gendered ending (-o/-a).
Choosing the right word for the right region (enojado vs. enfadado vs. bravo) and intensity level (molesto vs. cabreado) requires significant cultural awareness.
Key Challenges:
- Correctly choosing between 'estar' and 'ser'
- Remembering to change the adjective ending for gender
- Knowing which regional variant to use
💡Examples in Action
Estoy muy enojada porque perdiste mis llaves.
I am very angry because you lost my keys.
Por favor, no me hables ahora. Estoy de mal humor.
Please, don't talk to me right now. I'm in a bad mood.
Estoy un poco molesto por el ruido de los vecinos.
I'm a little annoyed by the neighbors' noise.
¡Qué cabreado estoy! ¡El tren se ha cancelado otra vez!
I'm so pissed off! The train has been canceled again!
🌍Cultural Context
Temporary State vs. Permanent Trait
In Spanish, anger is seen as a temporary emotional state, which is why you use the verb 'estar' (Estoy enojado). Using the verb 'ser' (Soy enojado) would mean 'I am an angry person'—describing a permanent personality trait. This is a crucial distinction for expressing feelings correctly.
Gender Agreement is a Must
Adjectives in Spanish must match the gender of the person they describe. If you're male, you'll use endings like '-o' (enojado, molesto). If you're female, you'll use '-a' (enojada, molesta). Forgetting this is a common giveaway that you're a learner.
Directness Varies by Region
While expressing anger is universal, the level of directness can vary. In Spain, people might be more direct or use stronger language like 'cabreado' more casually. In many parts of Latin America, a softer approach using 'molesto' (annoyed) might be more common to avoid direct confrontation.
Watch Out for 'Bravo'!
The word 'bravo' is a classic regional trap. In Spain, if you tell someone they are 'bravo', you're calling them brave. In Peru, Colombia, or Venezuela, you're calling them angry. Context and location are everything for this word!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "Soy enojado."
Correction: Estoy enojado.
Mixing up Gender
Mistake: "A woman saying: 'Estoy enojado.'"
Correction: Estoy enojada.
Confusing 'Angry' and 'Hungry'
Mistake: "Estoy 'angri'."
Correction: Tengo hambre.
Misinterpreting 'Bravo'
Mistake: "Telling a Spaniard 'Estás muy bravo' to mean they look angry."
Correction: Estás muy enfadado.
💡Pro Tips
Start Mild with 'Molesto/a'
If you're not sure how strong your words will sound, 'Estoy molesto/a' (I'm annoyed/upset) is a safe bet. It clearly communicates your displeasure without escalating the situation, making it useful in polite or professional contexts.
Explain the 'Why'
It's very natural in Spanish to immediately follow up with why you're angry. Practice adding 'porque...' (because...) after your statement. For example, 'Estoy enojado porque el servicio es muy lento' (I'm angry because the service is very slow).
Remember the -o/a Switch
Before you say you're angry, do a quick mental check: am I using the right ending for me? This simple habit will make your Spanish sound much more natural and accurate. It applies to most emotion adjectives.
Tone Matters More Than Words
You can say 'Estoy molesto' with a calm voice to mean 'I'm a bit bothered,' or you can say it with a harsh tone to mean 'I'm really mad.' Your tone of voice and body language are just as important as the words you choose.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards tend to use 'enfadado' almost exclusively over 'enojado.' They also have a rich vocabulary of informal and slightly vulgar terms for anger that are used frequently among friends.
Mexico
'Enojado/a' is the undisputed standard. While stronger words exist, 'molesto/a' is often preferred in social situations to be less confrontational. The expression 'hacer enojar a alguien' (to make someone angry) is very common.
Argentina
While 'enojado' is standard, Argentinians have unique slang. Using 'caliente' (hot) to mean 'pissed off' is common in informal speech, but be careful as it can also have sexual connotations.
Andean Region (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador)
The use of 'bravo/a' to mean 'angry' is the most significant regional marker. Using 'enojado' is also understood, but 'bravo' is very common in everyday speech. In Colombia, 'estar de mal genio' is also frequently used.
💬What Comes Next?
After you say you're angry
¿Por qué estás enojado/a?
Why are you angry?
Estoy enojado/a porque...
I'm angry because...
You express that they made you angry
Lo siento, no fue mi intención.
I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention.
Está bien, pero ten más cuidado la próxima vez.
It's okay, but be more careful next time.
You seem upset and someone notices
¿Te pasa algo? Pareces molesto/a.
Is something wrong? You seem upset.
Sí, estoy un poco molesto/a por el trabajo.
Yes, I'm a little upset about work.
🧠Memory Tricks
This links the sound of the word to the negative feeling of anger, making it easier to recall 'enojado' when you feel that way.
This is a classic mnemonic for the 'ser' vs 'estar' dilemma. Since anger is a feeling ('how you feel'), this rhyme reminds you to always use 'estoy' and never 'soy'.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the use of 'estar' for temporary emotions versus 'ser' for permanent traits, a concept that doesn't exist in English with the single verb 'to be'. Additionally, every Spanish adjective for anger must change its ending to agree with the gender of the speaker ('enojado' vs. 'enojada'), which is completely absent in English.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: The Spanish word 'embarazada' sounds like 'embarrassed', but it actually means 'pregnant'. This is a classic and important false friend to avoid.
Use instead: To say 'I am embarrassed,' use 'Tengo vergüenza' or 'Estoy avergonzado/a'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I am happy'
Learning to express opposite emotions helps you build your emotional vocabulary.
How to apologize
After expressing anger, knowing how to apologize or accept an apology is a crucial next step in a conversation.
How to say 'Don't worry'
This is a useful phrase for de-escalating a situation or reassuring someone.
How to ask 'What's wrong?'
This allows you to inquire about someone else's feelings, making your conversations more interactive.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I am angry
Question 1 of 3
You want to tell your friend in Madrid that you're really pissed off because you missed your flight. What's the most natural and appropriate phrase?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'enojado' and 'enfadado'?
They mean the exact same thing: 'angry.' The only difference is geography. 'Enojado' is used throughout Latin America, while 'enfadado' is used in Spain. Think of it like 'soccer' (US) vs. 'football' (UK).
How do I say 'I'm NOT angry'?
It's simple! Just add 'no' before the verb. For example, 'No estoy enojado/a' or 'No estoy molesto/a'. The structure is the same for any of the variations.
Is it rude to say 'Estoy enojado'?
Not at all. It's a direct and honest way to express your feelings. However, your tone of voice is very important. Said calmly, it's just a statement of emotion. Said aggressively, it can certainly escalate a conflict, just like in English.
Why do I have to change the ending to -o or -a?
In Spanish, adjectives (describing words) must 'agree' with the noun or person they describe in both gender and number. Since 'angry' is an adjective describing you, it must match your gender. It's a fundamental rule of Spanish grammar you'll see everywhere.
What's the difference between 'estar enojado' and 'ser enojón'?
'Estar enojado' means 'to be angry' right now—it's a temporary feeling. 'Ser enojón' (or 'enojona' for a woman) means 'to be a grumpy person'—it's a personality trait. 'Enojón' is a noun/adjective that specifically means a person who gets angry easily.
Can I just say 'Estoy mal'?
You can, but it's very general. 'Estoy mal' means 'I'm not well' or 'I'm feeling bad.' It could mean you're sad, sick, or having a bad day. If you specifically want to communicate that you're angry, it's better to use a more precise word like 'enojado' or 'molesto'.
📚Continue Learning Spanish Phrases
Explore More Phrases in These Categories
Find similar phrases to expand your Spanish vocabulary:
Want to Learn More Spanish Phrases?
Browse our complete collection of Spanish phrases organized by situation, from basic greetings to advanced conversations. Perfect for travelers, students, and anyone learning Spanish.
View All Spanish Phrases →