Inklingo

How to Say "revenge" in Spanish

English → Spanish

revancha

/reh-BAHN-chah//reˈβant͡ʃa/

nounB1general
Use 'revancha' when the revenge is a direct response to a personal slight, injury, or injustice, often implying a desire to 'even the score'.
A person who was splashed by a puddle earlier now holding a large umbrella to block the splash from a passing bicycle, looking triumphant.

Examples

El equipo perdió el año pasado y busca la revancha en la final.

The team lost last year and is seeking revenge in the final.

No lo hizo por maldad, sino por revancha.

He didn't do it out of malice, but for revenge.

Su éxito fue la mejor revancha contra sus críticos.

Her success was the best revenge against her critics.

El guerrero juró revancha por la traición recibida.

The warrior swore revenge for the betrayal he received.

Action vs. Noun

Remember that 'revancha' is the thing (the noun). If you want to say 'to get revenge,' use the phrase 'tomarse la revancha'.

Confusing with 'Return'

Mistake: “Using 'revancha' to mean a physical return of an object.”

Correction: Use 'devolución' for returning objects. 'Revancha' is only about returning a defeat or a bad deed.

venganza

/veng-AHN-sah//beŋˈɡanθa/

nounB1general
Use 'venganza' for a more general or significant act of retaliation, often planned and carried out with a stronger sense of retribution or even cruelty.
A small, determined rabbit is taking a bright red apple from the open, surprised paw of an orange fox, symbolizing an act of retaliation or getting even.

Examples

El protagonista juró venganza contra quienes lo traicionaron.

The protagonist swore revenge against those who betrayed him.

El pirata planeó su venganza por años.

The pirate planned his revenge for years.

Ella sintió una sed de venganza después de la traición.

She felt a thirst for vengeance after the betrayal.

No creo que la venganza resuelva nada.

I don't believe that revenge solves anything.

Gender Check

Remember that 'venganza' is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la venganza' or 'una venganza'.

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Hacer venganza (to make revenge)”

Correction: Use 'tomar venganza' (to take revenge) or 'buscar venganza' (to seek revenge). The phrase 'hacer venganza' is not used.

Revancha vs. Venganza

Learners often confuse 'revancha' and 'venganza'. While both mean revenge, 'revancha' is typically used for a more personal, tit-for-tat response to an immediate wrong, like in sports. 'Venganza' often implies a deeper, more planned, or even darker form of retribution.

Related Translations

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