Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Anger in Spanish
Enojo · noun · eh-NOH-hoh
The Spanish word for anger is 'enojo,' a masculine noun that describes the feeling of displeasure or irritation. Spanish offers several words for anger at different intensities: enojo for general annoyance or anger, ira for wrath or intense fury, and rabia for rage. In Mexico, 'coraje' is also widely used.
Enojo is pronounced eh-NOH-hoh. The 'j' produces the characteristic Spanish guttural sound, similar to a strong 'h' in English.
Su enojo era evidente cuando vio el desorden en la casa.
His anger was evident when he saw the mess in the house.
anger in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for anger, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| enojo | anger | eh-NOH-hoh | Default, widely understood |
| ira | anger | stronger, more intense anger; used in formal or literary contexts | |
| rabia | anger | fury or rage; common across all regions | |
| coraje | anger | Mexico, used colloquially for anger or frustration |
How Native Speakers Use Enojo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Expressing frustration
No pude controlar mi enojo cuando cancelaron el vuelo.
I couldn't control my anger when they canceled the flight.
Describes a reaction to an upsetting event.
Intense emotion
La ira lo consumió y dijo cosas que no quería decir.
Anger consumed him and he said things he didn't mean.
Uses 'ira' for a stronger, more literary register.
Mexican colloquial
Me da mucho coraje que llegues tarde siempre.
It makes me so angry that you always arrive late.
In Mexico, 'me da coraje' is a common expression for frustration.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Enojo
False cognate
Incorrect: Siento mucho coraje. (intending 'courage')
Correct: Siento mucho valor. / Siento mucho enojo.
In Mexico, 'coraje' means anger, not courage. The Spanish word for courage is 'valor' or 'valentía.'
Verb confusion
Incorrect: Me enojo mucho. (when meaning 'I have anger')
Correct: Tengo mucho enojo. / Estoy muy enojado.
While 'me enojo' means 'I get angry' (reflexive verb), expressing that you feel anger as a state requires 'tengo enojo' or 'estoy enojado.'
Lock in anger Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Enojo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using enojo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Su enojo era evidente cuando vio el desorden en la casa. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About anger in Spanish
- What is the difference between enojo, ira, and rabia?
- Enojo describes moderate anger or annoyance in everyday situations, ira conveys intense wrath often used in literature or religion, and rabia expresses furious rage that may feel uncontrollable.
- How do you say 'I am angry' in Spanish?
- The most common way is 'estoy enojado' (masculine) or 'estoy enojada' (feminine), using the verb estar because anger is a temporary emotional state.
- Does coraje always mean anger in Spanish?
- In most of Latin America, especially Mexico, coraje primarily means anger, but in Spain and some other regions it retains its original meaning closer to 'courage' or 'bravery,' so context matters.