Inklingo

How to Say "a pain" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pesado

peh-SAH-thopeˈsa.ðo

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'pesado' when referring to a person who is constantly bothering you or being annoying.
A person trying to read a book while a small fly repeatedly circles their head and lands on their nose.

Examples

¡Qué pesado eres! Deja de preguntarme lo mismo.

You're so annoying! Stop asking me the same thing.

Mi jefe estuvo muy pesado en la reunión de hoy.

My boss was being a real pain in today's meeting.

No quiero ser pesado, pero necesito ese informe.

I don't want to be a nuisance, but I need that report.

Ser vs. Estar

Use 'ser pesado' if someone is an annoying person by nature. Use 'estar pesado' if they are just being annoying in this specific moment.

Too literal

Mistake: “Él es muy 'annoying'.”

Correction: Él es muy pesado.

tortura

tor-TOO-ratoɾˈtuɾa

nounB1
Use 'tortura' to describe a task, situation, or activity that is extremely tedious, difficult, or frustrating.
A simplified illustration of a small figure wading slowly and laboriously through deep, dark, viscous mud that reaches up to their waist, symbolizing a difficult ordeal or experience.

Examples

Hacer la declaración de impuestos es una tortura.

Doing the tax return is an ordeal (a torture).

Esperar en esa fila fue una tortura.

Waiting in that line was a pain.

Figurative Use

You can use 'tortura' to exaggerate how difficult or boring something is, similar to saying 'It's a killer' in English.

Person vs. Situation

The most common mistake is using 'tortura' to describe an annoying person. Remember, 'pesado' is specifically for people who are bothersome, while 'tortura' refers to a difficult or tedious situation or task.

Related Translations

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