Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
HARASSMENT in Spanish: ACOSO
Acoso · noun · ah-KOH-soh
Acoso is the primary Spanish word for harassment, covering workplace harassment (acoso laboral), sexual harassment (acoso sexual), bullying (acoso escolar), and cyberbullying (ciberacoso). The word derives from the verb acosar (to harass or hound) and appears prominently in legal, educational, and workplace contexts throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
ah-KOH-soh
El acoso laboral es inaceptable en cualquier empresa.
Workplace harassment is unacceptable in any company.
Harassment in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for harassment, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| acoso | harassment | ah-KOH-soh | Default, widely understood |
| hostigamiento | harassment | legal/formal |
How Native Speakers Use Acoso
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Workplace
Denunció el acoso que sufrió por parte de su jefe.
She reported the harassment she suffered from her boss.
Reporting inappropriate behavior at work.
Schools
La escuela tiene una política contra el acoso escolar.
The school has a policy against bullying.
Anti-bullying educational policies.
Online
El ciberacoso puede tener graves consecuencias psicológicas.
Cyberbullying can have serious psychological consequences.
Discussing online harassment.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Acoso
Using Molestia
Incorrect: Sufrió molestias en el trabajo.
Correct: Sufrió acoso en el trabajo.
Molestia means annoyance or discomfort, which severely understates the seriousness of harassment. Acoso carries the appropriate gravity and legal weight.
Wrong Verb Form
Incorrect: Fue acosada laboral.
Correct: Sufrió acoso laboral.
While acosar is the verb, the common construction uses the noun acoso with a qualifying adjective (laboral, sexual, escolar) rather than the past participle as a standalone adjective.
Lock in Harassment 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 Acoso used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using acoso in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El acoso laboral es inaceptable en cualquier empresa. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Harassment in Spanish
- What are the different types of acoso?
- Common types include acoso sexual (sexual harassment), acoso laboral (workplace harassment/mobbing), acoso escolar (school bullying), ciberacoso (cyberbullying), and acoso callejero (street harassment).
- What is the difference between acoso and hostigamiento?
- Both mean harassment, but hostigamiento is more formal and legal in tone. Acoso is the everyday term used in media, workplaces, and schools, while hostigamiento appears more in legal documents and formal complaints.
- How do I say 'to harass' in Spanish?
- The verb is acosar — as in 'lo están acosando en el trabajo' (they are harassing him at work). The person who harasses is called acosador or acosadora.