Inklingo

How to Say "to plague" in Spanish

English → Spanish

atormentar

/ah-tor-men-TAR//atormenˈtar/

verbB2general
Use 'atormentar' when referring to continuously harassing or pestering a person with something, like questions or demands.
A person trying to read a book while several small, buzzing flies circle their head and shoulders.

Examples

Los periodistas atormentaron al actor con preguntas sobre su divorcio.

The journalists plagued the actor with questions about his divorce.

Deja de atormentar a tu hermano con ese juguete.

Stop pestering your brother with that toy.

Who receives the action?

Since this involves doing something to a person, you usually need to use 'a' before the person's name. Example: 'Atormentan a los vecinos'.

azotar

/ah-so-TAR//asoˈtaɾ/

verbC1general
Use 'azotar' when describing how an unpleasant event or condition, like a drought or disease, severely affects a place or a population.
A wilted, brown plant in a dry, cracked field under a harsh sun.

Examples

La sequía azotó la región durante meses.

The drought devastated the region for months.

El desempleo azota a los barrios más pobres.

Unemployment plagues the poorest neighborhoods.

Varias epidemias azotaron a la población en el siglo XIX.

Several epidemics hit the population hard in the 19th century.

Abstract Subjects

This meaning uses abstract concepts (like 'hunger' or 'crisis') as the subject that performs the 'hitting' on a place or group.

Person vs. Place

The most common mistake is using 'atormentar' for a place or situation, or 'azotar' for a person. Remember, 'atormentar' is for bothering individuals, while 'azotar' describes a widespread negative impact on a location.

Related Translations

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