How to Say "hideous" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “hideous” is “espantoso” — use this word to describe something that is generally awful, unpleasant, or shocking, often referring to appearance but also applicable to experiences like bad food.
espantoso
ess-pahn-TOH-sohes.panˈto.so
Examples
La película de anoche fue espantosa, no pude terminarla.
Last night's movie was dreadful; I couldn't finish it.
La comida en ese restaurante era espantosa.
The food in that restaurant was awful.
Llevaba un traje espantoso a la boda.
He wore a hideous suit to the wedding.
Tuvimos un tráfico espantoso al salir de la ciudad.
We had dreadful traffic leaving the city.
Agreement is Key
Since 'espantoso' is an adjective, make sure it matches the thing it describes in gender (o/a) and number (s/es). E.g., 'una película espantosa' (a horrible movie).
horroroso
oh-roh-ROH-sohoroˈɾoso
Examples
Tiene un vestido horroroso que no le queda bien.
She has a hideous dress that doesn't suit her.
Ese cuadro es horroroso, no me gusta nada.
That painting is hideous; I don't like it at all.
Llevaba unas gafas horrorosas que no le quedaban bien.
He was wearing some hideous glasses that didn't suit him.
La decoración de la fiesta era horrorosa y muy anticuada.
The party decorations were hideous and very old-fashioned.
Matching the word to the object
This word must change its ending to match what you are describing. Use 'horroroso' for masculine items and 'horrorosa' for feminine items.
Where to put the word
Usually, you place 'horroroso' after the thing it describes, like 'un coche horroroso.' If you put it before the word, it sounds much more dramatic.
Pronouncing the H
Mistake: “Pronouncing it like 'Horroroso' with an English H sound.”
Correction: In Spanish, the 'H' is always silent. Start the word with the 'O' sound: /oh-roh-ROH-soh/.
horrendo
oh-REHN-dohoˈrendo
Examples
El tráfico era horrendo esta mañana.
The traffic was horrendous this morning.
Hoy hace un tiempo horrendo, mejor nos quedamos en casa.
The weather is awful today, we'd better stay home.
Ese cuadro me parece horrendo, no me gusta nada.
I find that painting hideous; I don't like it at all.
Fue un accidente horrendo que conmocionó a toda la ciudad.
It was a horrendous accident that shocked the whole city.
Changing the Ending
This word must match the person or thing you are describing. Use 'horrendo' for masculine words (el libro) and 'horrenda' for feminine words (la película).
Emphasis through Position
Usually, you put 'horrendo' after the thing you are describing. If you put it before (e.g., 'el horrendo crimen'), it adds a more dramatic, literary, or emotional tone.
Confusing with 'Scary'
Mistake: “Using 'horrendo' just because you are scared of a movie.”
Correction: Use 'de terror' or 'terrorífico' for movies. 'Horrendo' is more about something being objectively awful or incredibly ugly.
monstruoso
mons-troo-OH-somonsˈtɾwoso
Examples
El gigante era una criatura monstruosa con una fuerza terrible.
The giant was a monstrous creature with terrible strength.
En la película aparecía un ser monstruoso con tres ojos.
A monstrous being with three eyes appeared in the movie.
Tenía una máscara monstruosa para la fiesta de Halloween.
He had a hideous mask for the Halloween party.
A veces la realidad puede ser más monstruosa que la ficción.
Sometimes reality can be more monstrous than fiction.
Matching the Noun
This word must match the gender of the thing you are describing. Use 'monstruoso' for masculine things (like 'un perro') and 'monstruosa' for feminine things (like 'una araña').
Where to put the word
Usually, you place 'monstruoso' after the noun it describes, such as 'un animal monstruoso'.
Forgetting the 'u'
Mistake: “monstroso”
Correction: monstruoso (the 'u' is essential to the spelling and sound).
Espantoso vs. Horroroso
Related Translations
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