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How to Say "drama" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “drama” is “drama” — use 'drama' when referring to the theatrical genre, a specific play, or a situation involving emotional turmoil or an exaggerated reaction..

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drama

DRAH-mah/ˈdɾa.ma/

nounB1general
Use 'drama' when referring to the theatrical genre, a specific play, or a situation involving emotional turmoil or an exaggerated reaction.
A vibrant illustration of a theater stage with rich red velvet curtains drawn open, featuring a single, stylized theatrical mask under a spotlight.

Examples

Por favor, no hagas un drama por llegar cinco minutos tarde.

Please, don't make a fuss (or 'drama') about being five minutes late.

El drama de Shakespeare 'Hamlet' es estudiado en todo el mundo.

Shakespeare's drama 'Hamlet' is studied all over the world.

La película es un drama intenso sobre la guerra civil.

The film is an intense drama about the civil war.

Ella siempre tiene algún drama con sus amigos.

She always has some kind of trouble/drama with her friends.

Masculine Noun Ending in -a

Even though 'drama' ends in -a, it is masculine ('el drama'). This happens with many words borrowed from Greek, like 'el problema' or 'el tema'.

Using 'Hacer'

The most common way to talk about creating a scene is 'hacer un drama' (to make a drama), similar to 'hacer un escándalo'.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La drama es muy aburrida.”

Correction: El drama es muy aburrido. Remember to use the masculine article 'el' and masculine adjectives.

teatro

/teh-AH-troh//teˈatɾo/

nounB1general
Use 'teatro' when referring to the art form of theater or stage plays, or to describe exaggerated, showy behavior.
The two classic theatrical masks, one smiling (comedy) and one frowning (tragedy), overlapping slightly.

Examples

Deja el teatro y dime qué pasó de verdad.

Stop the drama/show and tell me what really happened.

Estudió historia del teatro en la universidad.

He studied the history of drama/theatrical arts at the university.

El teatro clásico español es muy rico en personajes.

Classical Spanish drama is very rich in characters.

Su reacción fue puro teatro, no estaba realmente enfadada.

Her reaction was pure theater/acting; she wasn't actually angry.

comedia

koh-MEH-dee-ah/koˈmeðja/

nounB1general
Choose 'comedia' when 'drama' implies an unnecessary complication or a chaotic, messy situation.
A colorful storybook illustration of a small room in complete disarray, with clothes, books, and household objects scattered everywhere, creating a chaotic mess.

Examples

Llegamos tarde al aeropuerto y fue toda una comedia para encontrar el pasaporte.

We arrived late at the airport and it was a complete mess trying to find the passport.

La reunión fue una comedia; nadie sabía qué hacer.

The meeting was a farce; nobody knew what to do.

ópera

nounB2informal
Use 'ópera' to describe a highly dramatic or melodramatic situation, often involving excessive emotion over something minor.

Examples

¡Qué ópera! Llevamos tres horas discutiendo por algo tan simple.

What a drama! We have been arguing for three hours over something so simple.

historias

ees-TOH-ryahs/isˈtoɾjas/

nounB2general
Consider 'historias' when 'drama' refers to personal complications or troubles, especially in a narrative sense.
A frustrated person looking at a huge, complex knot of brightly colored, tangled rope.

Examples

¿Viste las historias que subió Marta hoy? Estuvo de viaje.

Did you see the Stories Marta uploaded today? She was traveling.

Déjame de historias, dime la verdad de lo que pasó.

Stop with the drama (or excuses), tell me the truth about what happened.

Use with 'Dejar'

The expression 'Déjame de historias' uses the special command form of 'dejar' (to leave/stop) to tell someone to cut the drama.

Drama vs. Teatro for Exaggeration

Learners often confuse 'drama' and 'teatro' when referring to exaggerated behavior. Use 'drama' for emotional outbursts and 'teatro' for more performative or showy displays.

Related Translations

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