Inklingo

How to Say "frustration" in Spanish

English → Spanish

frustración

nounB1general
Use 'frustración' when you feel the emotional disappointment of being unable to achieve a goal or satisfy a desire.

Examples

Siento mucha frustración cuando no puedo explicar lo que pienso.

I feel a lot of frustration when I can't explain what I'm thinking.

impotencia

/im-po-TEN-syah//impoˈtensja/

nounB1general
Choose 'impotencia' when your frustration stems from a feeling of powerlessness or inability to act or change a situation, often leading to anger.
A small child trying to reach a tall cookie jar on a high shelf but unable to reach it.

Examples

Siento una gran impotencia al ver las noticias sobre la guerra.

I feel a great sense of helplessness when I see the news about the war.

La impotencia de no poder ayudar a su familia lo ponía muy triste.

The helplessness of not being able to help his family made him very sad.

Gritó de impotencia cuando se dio cuenta de que había perdido las llaves.

He shouted in frustration because he realized he had lost his keys.

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in 'a,' remember it's always 'la impotencia.' It follows the pattern of most Spanish words ending in -encia.

Connecting Actions

To say what you are helpless to do, use the word 'de' followed by the base form of the verb (the infinitive), like 'impotencia de no poder ir' (helplessness of not being able to go).

Using 'tengo' incorrectly

Mistake: “Tengo impotente.”

Correction: Siento impotencia or Soy impotente. 'Impotencia' is the noun (the thing you feel), while 'impotente' is the adjective (what you are).

bronca

/BRON-kah//ˈbɾoŋka/

nounB2informal
Use 'bronca' for a more colloquial expression of annoyance or anger directed at a specific situation or person that is irritating you.
A character with a red face and steam coming from their ears to show anger.

Examples

Me da bronca que siempre mienta.

It makes me angry that he always lies.

Le tengo bronca desde aquel día.

I've had a grudge against him since that day.

¡Qué bronca! Se me rompió el teléfono.

How frustrating! My phone broke.

The 'Gustar' Pattern

When using 'dar bronca' (to make angry), the sentence structure is like 'gustar.' You say 'Me da bronca...' (To me, it gives anger...).

Expressing Feelings

When followed by 'que' (that), use the special 'wishes and feelings' verb form: 'Me da bronca que él NO VENGA' (It angers me that he isn't coming).

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Yo soy bronca.”

Correction: Tengo bronca. (Anger is something you have or feel, not something you are).

Frustración vs. Impotencia

Learners often confuse 'frustración' and 'impotencia'. Remember that 'frustración' is the general feeling of being blocked from a goal, while 'impotencia' specifically highlights the anger that comes from feeling powerless to change things.

Related Translations

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