How to Say "to haunt" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to haunt” is “atormentar” — use 'atormentar' when painful memories, thoughts, or experiences cause significant emotional distress or suffering, much like being tormented..
atormentar
/ah-tor-men-TAR//atormenˈtar/
Examples
Las deudas pasadas me atormentan.
Past debts haunt me.
El ruido constante de la construcción me atormenta.
The constant construction noise torments me.
Los recuerdos de la guerra lo atormentaban cada noche.
Memories of the war haunted him every night.
No es justo que te atormentes por errores del pasado.
It's not fair for you to torment yourself over past mistakes.
Using the 'Self' Form
When someone is suffering due to their own thoughts, use the reflexive form: 'atormentarse.' Example: 'Se atormenta por nada' (He torments himself over nothing).
Linking to the Cause
Use 'con' or 'por' to show what is causing the pain. Use 'con' for objects/tools (con preguntas) and 'por' for reasons (por su pasado).
Atormentar vs. Molestar
Mistake: “Using 'atormentar' for minor annoyances like a fly.”
Correction: Use 'molestar' for small annoyances; 'atormentar' is for deep, persistent, or severe suffering.
acechar
/ah-seh-char//aseˈtʃaɾ/
Examples
El peligro acecha en las sombras.
Danger haunts (lurks in) the shadows.
Muchos peligros acechan en este bosque.
Many dangers lurk in this forest.
La duda siempre acecha en su mente.
Doubt is always lurking in his mind.
Figurative Subjects
When used this way, the 'thing' doing the action is usually an abstract noun like 'peligro' (danger), 'muerte' (death), or 'miedo' (fear).
obsesionar
/ob-seh-syoh-NAHR//obsesjoˈnaɾ/
Examples
La idea de perder mi trabajo me obsesiona.
The idea of losing my job haunts me.
Ese problema me obsesiona y no puedo dormir.
That problem obsesses me and I can't sleep.
La idea de fracasar lo obsesiona desde hace meses.
The idea of failing has haunted him for months.
No dejes que el pasado te obsesione tanto.
Don't let the past preoccupy you so much.
Using it like 'Gustar'
In this active form, the thing doing the obsessing is the subject. 'La música me obsesiona' means 'Music obsesses me'.
When thoughts haunt you
If you want to say something 'is on your mind constantly,' use this verb to show it's taking over your headspace.
Wrong Preposition
Mistake: “Me obsesiono el trabajo.”
Correction: Me obsesiona el trabajo (if the work is doing it to you) or 'Me obsesiono CON el trabajo' (if you are the one doing it).
rondar
/ron-DAR//ronˈdaɾ/
Examples
Una melodía pegadiza me ronda la cabeza.
A catchy melody haunts my head.
Una idea me ronda la cabeza desde hace días.
An idea has been hovering in my mind for days.
El fantasma de la duda le rondaba la mente.
The ghost of doubt was haunting his mind.
Esa canción me ronda por la cabeza.
That song is stuck in my head (lingering in my mind).
Body Parts
When an idea haunts your head, we use 'la cabeza' with the article 'la', not 'mi cabeza'. The context makes it clear whose head it is.
Distinguishing Persistent Thoughts
Related Translations
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