Inklingo

How to Say "sudden" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sudden” is “repentino” — use this for changes or events that happen quickly and without warning, often implying a lack of preparation.

repentino🔊B1

Use this for changes or events that happen quickly and without warning, often implying a lack of preparation.

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inesperado🔊B1

This emphasizes that something occurred without being anticipated or expected, focusing on the surprise element.

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brusco🔊B1

This applies specifically to abrupt or jerky movements, changes in direction, or sudden actions.

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súbitoB2

Use this for events or changes that happen very quickly and without warning, often with a more formal or literary tone than 'repentino'.

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violento🔊B1

This describes a sudden movement or action that is forceful, intense, or even aggressive.

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relámpagoB1

This is used idiomatically to describe something very quick, like a brief visit or a fast action, similar to 'lightning fast'.

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explosivo🔊A2

While 'explosive' is a direct translation, it's primarily used for literal explosions or very rapid, uncontrollable increases, not general 'sudden' events.

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English → Spanish

repentino

reh-pen-TEE-nohrepenˈtino

adjectiveB1general
Use this for changes or events that happen quickly and without warning, often implying a lack of preparation.
A sudden bolt of lightning striking a clear blue sky.

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).

inesperado

in-es-pe-RAH-dohinespeˈɾaðo

AdjectiveB1general
This emphasizes that something occurred without being anticipated or expected, focusing on the surprise element.
A small character walking on a path, stopping instantly, staring up in wide-eyed surprise at a large, vibrant pink rubber duck that has just landed unexpectedly in the grass nearby.

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.)

brusco

BROOS-kohˈbrusko

adjectiveB1general
This applies specifically to abrupt or jerky movements, changes in direction, or sudden actions.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a car coming to an immediate stop with a small puff of dust at the tires.

Examples

El conductor hizo un giro brusco para evitar el bache.

The driver made a sudden turn to avoid the pothole.

Hubo un cambio brusco en el clima esta tarde.

There was an abrupt change in the weather this afternoon.

No hagas movimientos bruscos si te duele la espalda.

Don't make any sudden movements if your back hurts.

Matching the Noun

Since this is a describing word, it must match the gender of the thing it describes. Use 'brusco' for masculine words (un giro brusco) and 'brusca' for feminine words (una caída brusca).

Word Order

In Spanish, putting 'brusco' after the noun makes it sound more objective and factual. 'Un cambio brusco' emphasizes the suddenness of the change.

Sudden vs. Fast

Mistake: “Using 'brusco' when you just mean 'fast'.”

Correction: Use 'rápido' for speed. Use 'brusco' for something that happens without warning or with a lack of smoothness.

súbito

adjectiveB2general
Use this for events or changes that happen very quickly and without warning, often with a more formal or literary tone than 'repentino'.

Examples

Hubo un cambio súbito en el clima esta tarde.

There was a sudden change in the weather this afternoon.

violento

bee-oh-LEHN-tohbjoˈlento

AdjectiveB1general
This describes a sudden movement or action that is forceful, intense, or even aggressive.
A storybook illustration of a person's face showing extreme distress or intense emotion, surrounded by swirling red and orange colors.

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.

relámpago

adjectiveB1informal
This is used idiomatically to describe something very quick, like a brief visit or a fast action, similar to 'lightning fast'.

Examples

Fue una visita relámpago; solo estuvimos allí una hora.

It was a lightning visit; we were only there for an hour.

explosivo

ex-plo-SEE-boeksploˈsiβo

adjectiveA2general
While 'explosive' is a direct translation, it's primarily used for literal explosions or very rapid, uncontrollable increases, not general 'sudden' events.
A wooden crate with a lit fuse sparking, about to burst.

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.

Repentino vs. Inesperado

Learners often confuse 'repentino' and 'inesperado'. Remember: 'repentino' focuses on the speed and abruptness of an event, while 'inesperado' highlights the surprise and lack of anticipation. Something can be both, but 'inesperado' is about expectation, and 'repentino' is about timing.

Related Translations

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