Inklingo

How to Say "anguish" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “anguish” is “angustia” — use 'angustia' for a general, deep emotional pain or distress, often when you feel troubled or worried about something specific, like losing an item or a difficult situation.

angustia🔊B2

Use 'angustia' for a general, deep emotional pain or distress, often when you feel troubled or worried about something specific, like losing an item or a difficult situation.

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desesperaciónB1

Choose 'desesperación' when the anguish is so profound it leads to a complete loss of hope, a state of utter despair, often due to a significant negative event like job loss.

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tormento🔊B1

Use 'tormento' to describe emotional distress that feels like a prolonged, intense suffering or torture, often experienced during a period of waiting or uncertainty.

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agoníaB1

Employ 'agonía' specifically for extreme physical or mental distress, particularly in the context of dying or intense suffering experienced over a period of time.

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ansia🔊B2

Use 'ansia' for a deep, often unexplainable, and persistent mental distress or anxiety that you feel physically, perhaps as a tightness or unease.

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English → Spanish

angustia

ahn-GOOS-tyahanˈɡustja

nounB2general
Use 'angustia' for a general, deep emotional pain or distress, often when you feel troubled or worried about something specific, like losing an item or a difficult situation.
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

nounB1general
Choose 'desesperación' when the anguish is so profound it leads to a complete loss of hope, a state of utter despair, often due to a significant negative event like job loss.

Examples

La desesperación se apoderó de él cuando perdió el trabajo.

Despair overwhelmed him when he lost his job.

tormento

tor-MEN-tohtoɾˈmento

nounB1general
Use 'tormento' to describe emotional distress that feels like a prolonged, intense suffering or torture, often experienced during a period of waiting or uncertainty.
A person sitting with their head in their hands, looking distressed and overwhelmed.

Examples

La espera de los resultados fue un tormento para ella.

Waiting for the results was a torment for her.

El dolor de muelas se convirtió en un verdadero tormento.

The toothache became a real torture.

Vivió el tormento de estar lejos de su familia por años.

He lived through the anguish of being away from his family for years.

Always Masculine

Even though it relates to feelings, 'tormento' is always a masculine noun ('el tormento'), regardless of who is experiencing it.

Describing Situations

You can use the verb 'ser' (to be) with 'tormento' to say that an entire situation is unbearable.

Tormento vs. Tormenta

Mistake: “Using 'tormento' when you mean a rainstorm.”

Correction: Use 'tormenta' for weather and 'tormento' for pain or suffering.

agonía

nounB1general
Employ 'agonía' specifically for extreme physical or mental distress, particularly in the context of dying or intense suffering experienced over a period of time.

Examples

El herido estuvo en agonía durante varias horas antes de que llegara el médico.

The injured man was in agony for several hours before the doctor arrived.

ansia

AHN-syahˈansja

nounB2general
Use 'ansia' for a deep, often unexplainable, and persistent mental distress or anxiety that you feel physically, perhaps as a tightness or unease.
A person sitting on a small island surrounded by dark, swirling water, holding their head in their hands.

Examples

Sentía un ansia constante en el pecho sin saber por qué.

I felt a constant anguish in my chest without knowing why.

Las ansias lo consumían mientras esperaba los resultados.

Anxiety was consuming him while he waited for the results.

Plural for emphasis

When talking about emotional distress, the plural 'ansias' is often used to show that the feeling is intense or overwhelming.

Distinguishing 'angustia' from 'desesperación'

Learners often confuse 'angustia' and 'desesperación'. Remember that 'angustia' is a general deep distress or worry, while 'desesperación' implies a complete loss of hope and is a more extreme state.

Related Translations

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