What is the difference between resaca and cruda?

Resaca is the standard term understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, while cruda is specifically Mexican slang derived from the adjective crudo (raw). Both refer to the same condition, but using cruda outside Mexico may cause confusion.

How do you say 'I'm hungover' in Spanish?

The most universal phrasing is tengo resaca, which literally translates to 'I have a hangover.' In Mexico, you would say estoy crudo (masculine) or estoy cruda (feminine) to express the same idea using the local term.

Are there home remedies for a hangover mentioned in Spanish culture?

Many Spanish-speaking cultures have traditional remedies: in Mexico, a spicy menudo or pozole soup is a classic morning-after cure, while in Spain, a hearty tortilla española or churros con chocolate is considered restorative after a long night.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

Hangover in Spanish: Resaca

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Resaca · noun · reh-SAH-kah

The Spanish word resaca refers to the unpleasant physical symptoms experienced after drinking too much alcohol, such as headache, nausea, and fatigue. While resaca is understood across the Spanish-speaking world, many countries have their own colorful regional terms for this common ailment. In Mexico, the word cruda (literally meaning 'raw') is overwhelmingly preferred in everyday speech.

Resaca is stressed on the second syllable: reh-SAH-kah. The double vowel at the end flows naturally without a pause between the a sounds.

Tengo una resaca terrible después de la fiesta de anoche.

I have a terrible hangover after last night's party.

Hangover in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for hangover, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
resaca	hangover	reh-SAH-kah	Default, widely understood
cruda	hangover		Mexico and Central America
guayabo	hangover		Colombia
goma	hangover		Costa Rica and Honduras

How Native Speakers Use Resaca

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Morning after

No puedo levantarme, esta resaca me tiene destruido.

I can't get up, this hangover has me wrecked.

Common informal complaint among friends.

Mexican variant

Estoy bien crudo, necesito un caldo de pollo.

I'm really hungover, I need chicken broth.

In Mexico, crudo/cruda is the adjective form meaning 'hungover.'

Making plans

Mejor no tomo mucho hoy porque mañana trabajo y no quiero resaca.

I'd better not drink too much today because I work tomorrow and don't want a hangover.

Practical context for planning ahead.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Resaca

False cognate with 'undertow'

Incorrect: Cuidado con la resaca en la playa. (meaning hangover)

Correct: Resaca also means 'undertow' or 'riptide' at the beach — context determines the meaning.

The word resaca carries a double meaning in Spanish: the after-effects of drinking and the pull of ocean waves retreating from shore.

Gender agreement

Incorrect: Tengo un resaca fuerte.

Correct: Tengo una resaca fuerte.

Resaca is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine article una and feminine adjective agreement.

Lock in Hangover 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 Resaca used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using resaca in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tengo una resaca terrible después de la fiesta de anoche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

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Common Questions About Hangover in Spanish

What is the difference between resaca and cruda?: Resaca is the standard term understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, while cruda is specifically Mexican slang derived from the adjective crudo (raw). Both refer to the same condition, but using cruda outside Mexico may cause confusion.
How do you say 'I'm hungover' in Spanish?: The most universal phrasing is tengo resaca, which literally translates to 'I have a hangover.' In Mexico, you would say estoy crudo (masculine) or estoy cruda (feminine) to express the same idea using the local term.
Are there home remedies for a hangover mentioned in Spanish culture?: Many Spanish-speaking cultures have traditional remedies: in Mexico, a spicy menudo or pozole soup is a classic morning-after cure, while in Spain, a hearty tortilla española or churros con chocolate is considered restorative after a long night.