Inklingo

How to Say "grudge" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “grudge” is “rencor” — use 'rencor' for a deep-seated, often bitter feeling of ill will or resentment stemming from a past wrong or injury.

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rencor

rren-korreŋˈkoɾ

nounB2general
Use 'rencor' for a deep-seated, often bitter feeling of ill will or resentment stemming from a past wrong or injury.
A solitary figure with a downturned expression tightly hugging a large, heavy, dark purple rock covered in sharp thorns, symbolizing emotional pain.

Examples

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.

resentimiento

reh-sen-tee-mee-en-tohresentiˈmjento

nounB2general
Choose 'resentimiento' for a general feeling of displeasure or indignation due to perceived unfair treatment or insult, less intense than 'rencor'.
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

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.

bronca

BRON-kahˈbɾoŋka

nounB2informal
Use 'bronca' informally to describe a strong feeling of annoyance, anger, or frustration, often about a specific situation or behavior.
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).

manía

nounB2general
Employ 'manía' when someone seems to have a personal fixation or persistent, often irrational, dislike towards another person.

Examples

Creo que el profesor me tiene manía porque siempre me pregunta a mí.

I think the teacher has it in for me because he always asks me questions.

Rencor vs. Resentimiento

Learners often confuse 'rencor' and 'resentimiento'. Remember that 'rencor' implies a deeper, more bitter, and lasting ill will stemming from significant past hurts. 'Resentimiento' is more general displeasure or indignation over perceived unfairness.

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