How to Say "sudden" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “sudden” is “inesperado” — use 'inesperado' when the suddenness emphasizes the element of surprise or lack of anticipation..
inesperado
/in-es-pe-RAH-doh//inespeˈɾaðo/
Examples
Su visita fue totalmente inesperada, ¡qué alegría!
His visit was totally unexpected, what a joy!
La tormenta inesperada arruinó nuestros planes de picnic.
The unexpected storm ruined our picnic plans.
Recibimos una llamada inesperada del hospital.
We received an unexpected call from the hospital.
Gender and Number Match
As an adjective, 'inesperado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'un evento inesperado' (masculine singular), 'una llamada inesperada' (feminine singular), 'regalos inesperados' (masculine plural).
Forgetting the Gender Match
Mistake: “La sorpresa fue inesperado.”
Correction: La sorpresa fue inesperada. (Since 'sorpresa' is feminine, the adjective must end in -a.)
repentino
/reh-pen-TEE-noh//repenˈtino/
Examples
Hubo un cambio repentino en el clima.
There was a sudden change in the weather.
Sintió un dolor repentino en la pierna.
He felt a sudden pain in his leg.
Su decisión fue muy repentina.
Her decision was very sudden.
Matching Gender and Number
The word changes to 'repentina' for feminine words (la idea repentina) and adds an 's' for plurals (cambios repentinos).
Word Order
This word usually comes after the person or thing you are describing, like 'un ruido repentino' (a sudden noise).
Confusing 'Repentino' with 'De Repente'
Mistake: “Saying 'Fue muy de repente' to mean 'It was very sudden.'”
Correction: Use 'repentino' when you need an adjective to describe a noun. Use 'de repente' when you want to say 'suddenly' (the action happened fast).
violento
bee-oh-LEHN-toh/bjoˈlento/
Examples
Tuvimos que parar el coche por el viento violento.
We had to stop the car because of the fierce/intense wind.
Sufrió un dolor de cabeza violento después del accidente.
He suffered a severe headache after the accident.
La reacción del mercado fue violenta tras el anuncio.
The market's reaction was drastic/intense after the announcement.
Describing Force
When used for things like weather or physical sensations, 'violento' means 'very strong' or 'extreme,' emphasizing the power or suddenness of the event.
explosivo
/ex-plo-SEE-bo//eksploˈsiβo/
Examples
Ten cuidado, ese gas es muy explosivo.
Be careful, that gas is very explosive.
Él tiene un carácter explosivo cuando está estresado.
He has a volatile temper when he is stressed.
La ciudad tuvo un crecimiento explosivo en diez años.
The city had sudden, rapid growth in ten years.
Matching the word it describes
Remember to change the ending to 'explosiva' if the person or thing you are describing is feminine, like 'una situación explosiva'.
Explosivo vs. Explotar
Mistake: “Using 'explosivo' when you mean the action of blowing up.”
Correction: Use 'explosivo' to describe a quality. Use the verb 'explotar' for the action itself.
Unexpected vs. Abrupt
Related Translations
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