Inklingo

How to Say "ordeal" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “ordeal” is “batalla” — use 'batalla' when the ordeal is framed as a prolonged and active struggle or fight against a difficult situation, often involving significant effort and resilience.

batalla🔊B1

Use 'batalla' when the ordeal is framed as a prolonged and active struggle or fight against a difficult situation, often involving significant effort and resilience.

Learn more →
experiencia🔊B1

Use 'experiencia' for any difficult event that leaves a strong impression, whether positive or negative, emphasizing the event itself rather than the struggle.

Learn more →
tortura🔊B1

Use 'tortura' to express that an experience is extremely unpleasant, tedious, or agonizing, highlighting the suffering it causes.

Learn more →
trauma🔊B1

Use 'trauma' specifically for a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that causes lasting psychological impact, often in a clinical or emotional context.

Learn more →
pesadilla🔊B2

Choose 'pesadilla' when the ordeal is a prolonged, chaotic, and extremely unpleasant situation, often characterized by frustration and difficulty in resolving it.

Learn more →
trance🔊B2

Use 'trance' to refer to a specific, difficult, or painful phase or period that one must go through and eventually overcome.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

batalla

bah-TAH-yahbaˈtaʝa

nounB1general
Use 'batalla' when the ordeal is framed as a prolonged and active struggle or fight against a difficult situation, often involving significant effort and resilience.
A storybook illustration of a small, determined person struggling to climb a very steep, rocky incline, gripping the rock face tightly.

Examples

Su recuperación fue una larga batalla contra la enfermedad.

His recovery was a long battle against the illness.

Cada día es una batalla para conseguir terminar el proyecto.

Every day is a fight to manage to finish the project.

Preposition Use

When talking about what you are fighting against, use the preposition 'contra': 'la batalla contra la pobreza' (the struggle against poverty).

Using 'pelea' for Abstract Fights

Mistake: “Usar 'una pelea contra el cáncer'”

Correction: Use 'una batalla contra el cáncer'. 'Pelea' is usually for physical or verbal arguments between people.

experiencia

ex-peh-RYEN-syaekspeˈɾjensja

nounB1general
Use 'experiencia' for any difficult event that leaves a strong impression, whether positive or negative, emphasizing the event itself rather than the struggle.
A happy child standing in a green field, watching a massive, brightly colored hot air balloon gently descend, representing a specific memorable event.

Examples

El viaje a Perú fue una experiencia inolvidable.

The trip to Peru was an unforgettable experience.

Perder mi pasaporte fue una muy mala experiencia.

Losing my passport was a very bad experience.

Cuéntame alguna experiencia divertida de tu infancia.

Tell me a fun experience from your childhood.

tortura

tor-TOO-ratoɾˈtuɾa

nounB1general
Use 'tortura' to express that an experience is extremely unpleasant, tedious, or agonizing, highlighting the suffering it causes.
A simplified illustration of a small figure wading slowly and laboriously through deep, dark, viscous mud that reaches up to their waist, symbolizing a difficult ordeal or experience.

Examples

Hacer la declaración de impuestos es una tortura.

Doing the tax return is an ordeal (a torture).

Esperar en esa fila fue una tortura.

Waiting in that line was a pain.

Figurative Use

You can use 'tortura' to exaggerate how difficult or boring something is, similar to saying 'It's a killer' in English.

trauma

TRAU-mahˈtɾau̯.ma

nounB1general
Use 'trauma' specifically for a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that causes lasting psychological impact, often in a clinical or emotional context.
A small, vulnerable figure is sitting huddled on the ground, enveloped by a large, swirling, dark cloud or shadow, symbolizing psychological shock.

Examples

Superar un trauma infantil puede ser un proceso largo.

Overcoming childhood trauma can be a long process.

La pérdida de su mascota le causó un gran trauma emocional.

The loss of his pet caused him great emotional trauma.

Necesita ayuda profesional para lidiar con el trauma de la separación.

She needs professional help to deal with the trauma of the separation.

Masculine Noun Ending in -a

Even though 'trauma' ends in '-a', it is a masculine noun. Always say 'el trauma' or 'un trauma.' This is common for many Spanish words borrowed from Greek, like 'el problema' or 'el tema'.

Incorrect Gender

Mistake: “La trauma fue muy fuerte.”

Correction: El trauma fue muy fuerte. Remember that 'trauma' is masculine, so use 'el' or 'un' before it.

pesadilla

peh-sah-DEE-yahpesaˈðiʎa

nounB2general
Choose 'pesadilla' when the ordeal is a prolonged, chaotic, and extremely unpleasant situation, often characterized by frustration and difficulty in resolving it.
A colorful illustration showing a person straining and sweating profusely while trying to push a massive gray boulder up a steep green hill, symbolizing an overwhelming task.

Examples

Intentar conseguir los permisos fue una pesadilla burocrática.

Trying to get the permits was a bureaucratic nightmare.

La construcción de la casa se convirtió en una pesadilla financiera para ellos.

The construction of the house turned into a financial nightmare for them.

Using 'Ser' and 'Convertirse'

When referring to a situation, you often use 'ser' (to be) or 'convertirse en' (to turn into): 'Es una pesadilla' or 'Se convirtió en una pesadilla'.

trance

trahn-sehˈtɾanθe

nounB2general
Use 'trance' to refer to a specific, difficult, or painful phase or period that one must go through and eventually overcome.
A small bird flying through a heavy rainstorm with dark clouds.

Examples

Superar ese trance amargo le tomó mucho tiempo.

It took him a long time to get over that bitter ordeal.

Estamos en un trance decisivo para el futuro de la empresa.

We are at a decisive stage for the future of the company.

No quisiera pasar por un trance así de nuevo.

I wouldn't want to go through a situation like that again.

Gender Identification

Even though it ends in 'e', 'trance' is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un'.

Abstract Usage

In Spanish, this word describes the 'event' or 'passage' through a hard time, rather than just the feeling of being stuck.

Thinking it only means a 'hypnotic state'

Mistake: “Using it only for spiritual contexts.”

Correction: Remember that in 90% of daily Spanish conversations, it refers to a tough situation or a 'moment' you have to get through.

Confusing Struggle vs. Nightmare

Learners often confuse 'batalla' (a struggle) with 'pesadilla' (a nightmare). Remember that 'batalla' implies a fight or a sustained effort against something, while 'pesadilla' describes a chaotic, frustrating, and prolonged bad experience, often involving bureaucracy or overwhelming complexity.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.