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How to Say "vengeance" in Spanish

English → Spanish

revancha

/reh-BAHN-chah//reˈβant͡ʃa/

nounB1formal or dramatic situations
Use 'revancha' when the vengeance is driven by a personal slight, rivalry, or a desire to settle a score, often in a competitive or less formal context.
A person who was splashed by a puddle earlier now holding a large umbrella to block the splash from a passing bicycle, looking triumphant.

Examples

No lo hizo por maldad, sino por revancha.

He didn't do it out of malice, but for revenge.

Su éxito fue la mejor revancha contra sus críticos.

Her success was the best revenge against her critics.

El guerrero juró revancha por la traición recibida.

The warrior swore revenge for the betrayal he received.

Action vs. Noun

Remember that 'revancha' is the thing (the noun). If you want to say 'to get revenge,' use the phrase 'tomarse la revancha'.

Confusing with 'Return'

Mistake: “Using 'revancha' to mean a physical return of an object.”

Correction: Use 'devolución' for returning objects. 'Revancha' is only about returning a defeat or a bad deed.

venganza

/veng-AHN-sah//beŋˈɡanθa/

nounB1formal retribution
Use 'venganza' for more calculated, deliberate, or serious acts of retribution, often involving a broader sense of justice or formal punishment.
A small, determined rabbit is taking a bright red apple from the open, surprised paw of an orange fox, symbolizing an act of retaliation or getting even.

Examples

El pirata planeó su venganza por años.

The pirate planned his revenge for years.

Ella sintió una sed de venganza después de la traición.

She felt a thirst for vengeance after the betrayal.

No creo que la venganza resuelva nada.

I don't believe that revenge solves anything.

Gender Check

Remember that 'venganza' is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la venganza' or 'una venganza'.

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Hacer venganza (to make revenge)”

Correction: Use 'tomar venganza' (to take revenge) or 'buscar venganza' (to seek revenge). The phrase 'hacer venganza' is not used.

Revancha vs. Venganza

Learners often confuse 'revancha' and 'venganza' because both mean revenge. Remember that 'revancha' leans towards personal grudges or settling scores, while 'venganza' implies a more significant, planned, or formal act of retribution.

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