How to Say "shock" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “shock” is “shock” — use this loanword for the immediate emotional impact or surprise of an event, or for a medical state of circulatory failure..
shock
/shok//ˈʃok/
Examples
La noticia de su renuncia fue un shock para todos.
The news of his resignation was a shock to everyone.
Estaba en estado de shock después del accidente.
She was in a state of shock after the accident.
El país aún no se recupera del shock económico.
The country still hasn't recovered from the economic shock.
El paciente entró en shock hipovolémico después de la hemorragia.
The patient went into hypovolemic shock after the hemorrhage.
Gender Rule
Even though 'shock' comes from English, it is always treated as a masculine noun in Spanish: 'el shock'.
Context is Key
When used medically, 'shock' refers to a sudden, life-threatening drop in blood flow. This usage is generally more serious and technical than the emotional sense.
Using the wrong article
Mistake: “La shock”
Correction: El shock. Remember, most nouns that end in a consonant and are loanwords tend to be masculine in Spanish.
choque
CHOH-keh/ˈtʃo.ke/
Examples
Fue un choque cultural muy fuerte cuando llegó a la capital.
It was a very strong culture shock when she arrived in the capital.
El choque de ideologías provocó la ruptura del partido.
The clash of ideologies caused the breakup of the party.
El paciente entró en choque después de la operación.
The patient went into shock after the operation.
Figurative Use
When used figuratively, 'choque' still means a strong, sudden, negative impact, like a 'clash' of personalities or a 'shock' to your system.
golpe
/GOHL-peh//ˈɡolpe/
Examples
La crisis económica fue un golpe duro para muchas empresas.
The economic crisis was a hard blow/shock for many companies.
¡Qué golpe de suerte! Encontré el anillo perdido.
What a stroke of luck! I found the lost ring.
Ella se fue de golpe, sin despedirse.
She left suddenly, without saying goodbye.
Adverbial Use
The phrase 'de golpe' acts like an adverb, describing how something happens, usually meaning 'very quickly' or 'unexpectedly'.
sorpresa
/sor-PREH-sah//soɾˈpɾesa/
Examples
¡Qué sorpresa verte aquí!
What a surprise to see you here!
Mi familia me organizó una fiesta sorpresa por mi cumpleaños.
My family organized a surprise party for my birthday.
La noticia fue una gran sorpresa para todos.
The news was a big surprise for everyone.
Using 'de' and 'para' with Sorpresa
To say 'to my surprise', use 'para mi sorpresa'. To talk about something happening 'by surprise', use 'de sorpresa'. For example, 'Llegaron de sorpresa' means 'They arrived by surprise'.
It's a Feminine Word
Mistake: “El sorpresa fue grande.”
Correction: La sorpresa fue grande. Remember that 'sorpresa' ends in '-a' and is a feminine word, so any words describing it (like 'la' or 'grande') must also be in their feminine form.
susto
SOOS-toh/ˈsusto/
Examples
¡Qué susto me diste! Pensé que era un ladrón.
What a fright you gave me! I thought it was a thief.
Mi abuela se llevó un susto terrible con la tormenta.
My grandmother got a terrible scare from the storm.
Después del susto, le ofrecí un vaso de agua para calmarla.
After the shock, I offered her a glass of water to calm her down.
Using Susto: Giving and Getting
To say someone gave you a fright, use dar (Me diste un susto). To say you received a fright, the most common verb is llevarse (Me llevé un susto).
Susto vs. Miedo
Mistake: “Using 'Tengo susto' for general fear.”
Correction: *Susto* is for a sudden, temporary shock (like a jump scare). For a general, continuous feeling of fear, use *miedo* ('Tengo miedo').
conmoción
/kon-mo-SYON//konmoˈsjon/
Examples
La noticia de su renuncia causó una gran conmoción en la oficina.
The news of his resignation caused a great shock in the office.
Hubo una conmoción en la calle tras el accidente.
There was a commotion in the street after the accident.
Identifying Feminine Words
Most words ending in '-ción' are feminine, so you should use 'la' or 'una' with this word.
Don't confuse with just 'emotion'
Mistake: “Using 'conmoción' for any feeling.”
Correction: Use 'conmoción' only for very strong, jarring shocks or public disturbances; use 'emoción' for general feelings.
palo
PAH-loh/ˈpa.lo/
Examples
La noticia de su despido fue un palo muy duro.
The news of his firing was a very hard blow/shock.
El ladrón le dio un palo en la cabeza para robarle.
The thief hit him on the head to rob him. (Literal physical blow)
descarga
/des-KAR-gah//desˈkaɾɣa/
Examples
Recibió una descarga eléctrica al tocar el cable suelto.
He received an electric shock when he touched the loose wire.
Llorar fue una gran descarga emocional para ella.
Crying was a great emotional release for her.
Shock vs. Golpe vs. Choque
Related Translations
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