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How to Say "bitterness" in Spanish

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resentimiento

reh-sen-tee-mee-en-tohresentiˈmjento

nounB2
Use 'resentimiento' for a general feeling of ill will or displeasure stemming from a past grievance, often implying a lingering sense of unfairness.
A person sitting alone on a wooden bench, looking down with a crossed-arm posture and a frown, with a dark storm cloud hovering directly above them in a bright field.

Examples

Todavía siento resentimiento por la forma en que me trataron.

I still feel resentment for the way they treated me.

No guardo ningún resentimiento hacia él.

I don't hold any resentment toward him.

Su voz estaba llena de resentimiento.

Her voice was full of bitterness.

Es difícil superar el resentimiento después de una traición.

It is hard to overcome resentment after a betrayal.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-miento', it's a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Using 'por' to show cause

When you want to say why someone feels resentment, use the word 'por' (because of). For example: 'resentimiento por el pasado'.

Using 'en' for targets

Mistake: “Siento resentimiento en él.”

Correction: Siento resentimiento hacia él (or 'contra él'). Use 'hacia' (toward) or 'contra' (against) to point the emotion at a person.

rencor

rren-korreŋˈkoɾ

nounB2
Choose 'rencor' when the bitterness is more intense and deeply rooted, suggesting a strong, often prolonged, emotional pain or grudge.
A solitary figure with a downturned expression tightly hugging a large, heavy, dark purple rock covered in sharp thorns, symbolizing emotional pain.

Examples

Ella guarda rencor a su antiguo jefe por haberla despedido injustamente.

She harbors bitterness towards her old boss for having unfairly fired her.

Ella todavía siente rencor por cómo la trataron en ese trabajo.

She still feels resentment over how they treated her at that job.

No puedes vivir feliz si guardas tanto rencor en tu corazón.

You cannot live happily if you hold so much bitterness in your heart.

Después de años, el rencor entre los hermanos se había disipado finalmente.

After years, the grudge between the siblings had finally faded away.

Always Masculine

Even though many abstract nouns ending in '-or' are masculine, remember that 'rencor' always uses the masculine article ('el rencor').

Always Singular

'Rencor' is treated as an uncountable feeling, like 'anger' or 'love.' You almost never use it in the plural form.

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “Tener rencor *a* alguien. (Incorrect use of 'a')”

Correction: Tener rencor *hacia* alguien (or *contra* alguien). Use 'hacia' or 'contra' to show who the negative feeling is directed toward.

veneno

veh-NEH-nohbeˈne.no

nounB2informal
Use 'veneno' when 'bitterness' refers to maliciousness, spite, or sharp, hurtful criticism expressed verbally.
A simple illustration of a person's torso silhouette with dark, swirling purple smoke emanating strongly from the chest area, symbolizing malice or negative intent.

Examples

Sus comentarios estaban llenos de veneno y sarcasmo.

His comments were full of malice and sarcasm.

Sus palabras estaban llenas de veneno y crítica.

His words were full of malice and criticism.

Hay mucho veneno en ese ambiente de trabajo.

There is a lot of toxicity (or bitterness) in that work environment.

El veneno de la envidia puede destruir amistades.

The poison of envy can destroy friendships.

Using Prepositions

We often use the preposition 'de' (of) to specify what kind of figurative 'veneno' it is: 'veneno de la envidia' (the poison of envy).

Rencor vs. Resentimiento

Learners often confuse 'rencor' and 'resentimiento'. While both express ill will, 'resentimiento' is a more general feeling of being wronged, whereas 'rencor' implies a deeper, more persistent emotional hurt or grudge.

Related Translations

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