How to Say "resentful" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “resentful” is “resentido” — use this when someone feels bitterness specifically because of past unfair treatment or a past event, often implying they are holding a grudge.
resentido
reh-sen-TEE-dohresenˈtiðo
Examples
Él está resentido con su jefe por no darle el ascenso.
He is resentful toward his boss for not giving him the promotion.
No seas tan resentida, intenta perdonarla.
Don't be so bitter, try to forgive her.
Su tono resentido reveló que todavía le dolía la ruptura.
His resentful tone revealed that the breakup still hurt him.
Using 'Estar' for feelings
Since being resentful is considered a state or a feeling rather than a permanent personality trait, you almost always use it with 'estar' instead of 'ser'.
Don't confuse with 'angry'
Mistake: “Using 'resentido' to mean 'angry right now'.”
Correction: Use 'enojado' for immediate anger. Use 'resentido' for long-term bitterness about something that happened a while ago.
dolido
doh-LEE-dohdoˈliðo
Examples
Juan está dolido porque no lo invitaste a tu fiesta.
Juan is hurt because you didn't invite him to your party.
Me siento muy dolida por las palabras que me dijiste ayer.
I feel very hurt by the words you said to me yesterday.
A pesar de que pasó mucho tiempo, él sigue dolido por la traición.
Even though a long time passed, he is still resentful about the betrayal.
Matching the Person
Since this is an adjective (a describing word), it must match the gender of the person you are talking about. Use 'dolido' for men and 'dolida' for women.
Using 'Estar' or 'Sentirse'
To say someone IS hurt, always use 'estar' (temporary state) rather than 'ser.' You can also use 'sentirse' to say someone FEELS hurt.
Emotional vs. Physical Pain
Mistake: “Estoy dolido de la espalda.”
Correction: Tengo dolor de espalda / Me duele la espalda. Use 'dolido' for feelings and 'dolorido' or the verb 'doler' for physical body aches.
Forgetting the 'A' for Women
Mistake: “Ella está muy dolido.”
Correction: Ella está muy dolida. Always change the ending to -a when describing a female.
ofendido
oh-fehn-DEE-dohofenˈdido
Examples
Él se siente ofendido porque no lo invitaste a la fiesta.
He feels offended because you didn't invite him to the party.
No te pongas ofendida, solo era una broma.
Don't get offended (female), it was just a joke.
Habló con un tono de voz ofendido.
He spoke with an offended tone of voice.
Matching the Person
This word changes its ending based on who you are talking about. Use 'ofendido' for a man and 'ofendida' for a woman.
Being vs. Feeling
We usually use this word with 'estar' (to be in a state) or 'sentirse' (to feel) because it describes a temporary emotion, not a permanent personality trait.
Watch the 'a'
Mistake: “ofendido con el comentario”
Correction: ofendido por el comentario
amargado
ah-mar-GAH-dohamaɾˈɡaðo
Examples
No seas tan amargado, ¡disfruta de la fiesta!
Don't be such a sourpuss, enjoy the party!
Se siente amargado porque nunca cumplió sus sueños.
He feels bitter because he never fulfilled his dreams.
Su divorcio lo dejó muy amargado.
His divorce left him very resentful.
Choosing Between Ser and Estar
Use 'ser' if the person is generally bitter as a personality trait. Use 'estar' if they are feeling bitter right now because of a specific event.
Matching the Person
The ending must change to match the person you are describing: 'amargado' (man), 'amargada' (woman), 'amargados' (men/mixed group), or 'amargadas' (women).
Don't confuse with 'amargo'
Mistake: “Este café está muy amargado.”
Correction: Este café está muy amargo. Use 'amargo' for food/flavors and 'amargado' for people's feelings.
amargo
ah-MAR-goaˈmaɾɣo
Examples
Fue una amarga decepción para todo el equipo.
It was a bitter disappointment for the whole team.
Él guarda un amargo recuerdo de su último trabajo.
He keeps a bitter memory of his last job.
Lloraron lágrimas amargas tras perder el partido.
They cried bitter tears after losing the match.
Emphasis with Position
When used figuratively for emotions, 'amargo' can sometimes go before the noun to sound more poetic or emphasize the feeling (una amarga verdad).
Describing People
Mistake: “Saying 'Él es amargo' to mean someone is grumpy.”
Correction: While understood, it is much more natural to say 'Él es un amargado' (He is a bitter/resentful person).
sentido
sen-TEE-dohsenˈti.ðo
Examples
Fue un discurso muy sentido y emocionante.
It was a very heartfelt and emotional speech.
Ella está muy sentida contigo porque no la llamaste.
She is very offended with you because you didn't call her.
Mis más sentidas condolencias.
My most heartfelt condolences.
A Word That Describes
'Sentido' is the past participle of the verb 'sentir' (to feel). This means it can be used like an adjective to describe a noun. Because it's an adjective, it must change to match the noun it describes: 'un discurso sentido' (a heartfelt speech) but 'una carta sentida' (a heartfelt letter).
Forgetting to Change the Ending
Mistake: “Mi amiga está muy sentido.”
Correction: Mi amiga está muy sentida. Because 'amiga' is feminine, the adjective 'sentida' must also be feminine.
Resentido vs. Dolido vs. Ofendido
Related Translations
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