How to Say "atrocious" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “atrocious” is “atroz” — use 'atroz' to describe something extremely severe, harsh, or cruel, often referring to conditions or acts..
atroz
/ah-TROHS//aˈtɾos/
Examples
Hacía un frío atroz en la cima de la montaña.
It was terribly cold at the top of the mountain.
Tengo un dolor de muelas atroz desde anoche.
I've had an excruciating toothache since last night.
Las noticias informaron sobre un crimen atroz en la ciudad.
The news reported on an atrocious crime in the city.
One Form for All Genders
This word doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns. You can say 'un hombre atroz' or 'una mujer atroz' and the word stays exactly the same.
The Z to C Plural Rule
When you want to describe more than one thing, the 'z' at the end of the word changes to a 'c' before you add the plural ending. One 'crimen atroz' becomes two 'crímenes atroces'.
Avoid 'Atroza'
Mistake: “La situación fue atroza.”
Correction: La situación fue atroz. (Because adjectives ending in 'z' don't have a separate feminine form).
Spelling the Plural
Mistake: “Sus actos fueron atrozes.”
Correction: Sus actos fueron atroces. (Spanish rules require changing Z to C when followed by an 'e').
infame
/een-FAH-meh//inˈfame/
Examples
El dictador cometió crímenes infames contra su propio pueblo.
The dictator committed vile crimes against his own people.
Nos dieron una comida infame en ese restaurante.
They gave us an atrocious meal at that restaurant.
Hacía un tiempo infame, así que nos quedamos en casa.
The weather was wretched, so we stayed home.
One Form for All
This word ends in -e, which means it doesn't change for boys or girls. You can say 'un hombre infame' or 'una mujer infame'.
Placement for Drama
If you put 'infame' before the noun (un infame crimen), it sounds more poetic and dramatic than putting it after.
Don't confuse with 'famous'
Mistake: “Thinking 'infame' means 'very famous'.”
Correction: It means famous for a BAD reason (infamous) or just plain evil. If you want to say someone is famous, use 'famoso'.
monstruoso
/mons-troo-OH-so//monsˈtɾwoso/
Examples
Fue un crimen monstruoso que conmocionó al país.
It was an atrocious crime that shocked the country.
Me parece monstruoso que no ayuden a los necesitados.
I find it appalling that they don't help those in need.
La crueldad de la guerra es algo monstruoso.
The cruelty of war is something monstrous.
Abstract usage
In this context, 'monstruoso' doesn't describe how something looks, but rather the moral quality of an action.
Atroz vs. Infame vs. Monstruoso
Related Translations
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