Inklingo

How to Say "anguish" in Spanish

English → Spanish

angustia

/ahn-GOOS-tyah//anˈɡustja/

nounB2
Use 'angustia' when referring to a feeling of deep emotional pain, distress, or anxiety, often caused by a specific situation or worry.
A person sitting alone on a small hill with their head in their hands, looking very sad and overwhelmed.

Examples

Sentí una gran angustia cuando no encontraba mis llaves.

I felt a great sense of distress when I couldn't find my keys.

Su rostro reflejaba la angustia por la noticia.

His face reflected the anguish caused by the news.

Gender and Articles

Even though it ends in 'a', this is a feminine noun. Use 'la angustia' or 'una angustia' when talking about it.

Feeling vs. Being

Mistake: “Estoy angustia.”

Correction: Say 'Tengo angustia' (I have anguish) or 'Estoy angustiado' (I am distressed). In Spanish, you often 'have' feelings rather than 'being' them.

desesperación

nounB1
Choose 'desesperación' when the anguish is so profound that it leads to a complete loss of hope or a feeling of utter helplessness.

Examples

La desesperación se apoderó de él cuando perdió el trabajo.

Despair overwhelmed him when he lost his job.

Angustia vs. Desesperación

Learners often confuse 'angustia' and 'desesperación' because both indicate suffering. The key difference is intensity and cause: 'angustia' is more about emotional distress from a specific worry, while 'desesperación' implies a more profound, hopeless state, often from a major loss.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.