Inklingo

How to Say "heartbroken" in Spanish

English → Spanish

desolado

deh-so-LAH-dohdesoˈlaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'desolado' when the heartbreak stems from a profound sense of loss or emptiness, often due to grief.
A small, sad teddy bear sitting alone on a wooden floor in a dimly lit room.

Examples

El público quedó desolado tras la noticia de su muerte.

The public was heartbroken following the news of his death.

Juan está desolado por la pérdida de su gato.

Juan is heartbroken over the loss of his cat.

Me sentí desolada cuando escuché las noticias.

I felt devastated when I heard the news.

Quedó desolado al saber que no había aprobado el examen.

He was devastated to find out he hadn't passed the exam.

Using with 'Estar'

Since this word describes a feeling or a state that resulted from an event, always use it with 'estar' rather than 'ser'.

Matching Gender

Remember to change the ending to 'desolada' if you are describing a woman or a feminine object.

Don't use 'ser'

Mistake: “Soy desolado.”

Correction: Estoy desolado. Use 'estar' because you aren't a heartbroken person by nature; you feel that way right now.

destruida

des-troo-EE-dahdesˈtɾwiða

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'destruida' when the heartbreak is so intense it feels like it has shattered or annihilated one's emotional state, typically after a relationship ends.
A sad person sitting on a park bench with their head in their hands, looking very upset.

Examples

Se sentía completamente destruida después de que él la dejara.

She felt completely heartbroken after he left her.

Ella quedó destruida después de la ruptura.

She was devastated after the breakup.

Estoy destruida tras correr el maratón.

I'm wiped out after running the marathon.

Describing People

When used for a person, it's almost always feminine in this form ('Ella está destruida'). If you are a woman, you say 'Estoy destruida'.

Desolado vs. Destruida

Learners often confuse 'desolado' and 'destruida' because both express deep sadness. Remember that 'desolado' implies a feeling of emptiness from loss, while 'destruida' suggests a more active, shattering emotional impact.

Related Translations

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