Inklingo

How to Say "darned" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “darned” is “dichoso” — use 'dichoso' when expressing mild frustration or annoyance, often when something is lost or not working as expected, similar to 'blasted' or 'confounded'.

English → Spanish

dichoso

dee-CHOH-sohdiˈtʃoso

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'dichoso' when expressing mild frustration or annoyance, often when something is lost or not working as expected, similar to 'blasted' or 'confounded'.
A small buzzing fly circling around a person's head while they try to read.

Examples

No encuentro mis dichosos zapatos.

I can't find my darned shoes.

No puedo encontrar las dichosas llaves.

I can't find the darned keys.

El dichoso despertador no sonó esta mañana.

The annoying alarm clock didn't go off this morning.

¡Ya viene el dichoso camión de la basura!

Here comes that blasted garbage truck!

The Power of Placement

To show annoyance, always put 'dichoso' BEFORE the thing you are talking about (e.g., 'la dichosa mosca').

Wrong Mood

Mistake: “Saying 'Es un hombre dichoso' when you mean he is annoying.”

Correction: When placed after the person, it means 'happy'. If you mean 'annoying', you'd usually refer to a specific thing or habit of his.

bendita

ben-DEE-tahbenˈdita

adjectiveB2informal
Employ 'bendita' to express a more resigned or even slightly ironic annoyance, often used for things that are inconvenient but perhaps also essential, like 'blessed' or 'the devil's own'.
A person looking at a tangled ball of yarn with a frustrated expression.

Examples

¡Qué lata con el bendito tráfico!

What a pain with this darned traffic!

No puedo encontrar las benditas llaves.

I can't find the darned keys.

¡Esta bendita computadora no funciona!

This blessed computer isn't working!

Emphasis Position

When used to show annoyance, this word usually goes BEFORE the noun (e.g., 'benditas llaves').

condenado

kon-deh-NAH-dohkon.deˈna.ðo

adjectiveB2informal
Choose 'condenado' for a stronger expression of exasperation or intense irritation, functioning as a mild curse or intensifier, similar to 'wretched' or 'damned'.
A small, dejected figure sitting alone in the rain, holding a broken umbrella.

Examples

Este condenado teléfono no funciona.

This darned phone doesn't work.

¡Este condenado despertador no me dejó dormir!

This wretched alarm clock wouldn't let me sleep!

Se me perdió el condenado libro que necesitaba para el examen.

I lost the darned book I needed for the exam.

Emotional Intensifier

In this informal sense, 'condenado' acts like 'darned' or 'cursed' in English, adding emotional emphasis to the noun, usually negative.

Distinguishing 'dichoso' and 'bendita'

Learners often confuse 'dichoso' and 'bendita' as they both express mild frustration. While interchangeable in some contexts like lost items, 'dichoso' leans more towards simple annoyance, whereas 'bendita' can carry a touch more irony or resignation.

Related Translations

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