Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Stress in Spanish
Estrés · noun · ehs-TREHS
The Spanish word for stress is 'estrés,' a direct borrowing from English that has been fully adopted into the language. It refers to emotional, mental, or physical tension caused by demanding circumstances.
Pronounce 'estrés' as ehs-TREHS, with the stress on the final syllable. The accent mark confirms this emphasis.
El estrés del trabajo me está afectando la salud.
Work stress is affecting my health.
stress in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for stress, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| estrés | stress | ehs-TREHS | Default, widely understood |
| tensión | stress | emotional or physical tension | |
| agobio | stress | feeling overwhelmed |
How Native Speakers Use Estrés
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Work-related stress
Tengo mucho estrés por los exámenes finales.
I have a lot of stress because of final exams.
A student feeling academic pressure.
Managing stress
El yoga me ayuda a reducir el estrés.
Yoga helps me reduce stress.
Discussing coping strategies.
Doctor's advice
El doctor dijo que debo controlar mi nivel de estrés.
The doctor said I should control my stress level.
A medical recommendation.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Estrés
Forgetting the accent and initial 'e'
Incorrect: Tengo mucho stress.
Correct: Tengo mucho estrés.
Although borrowed from English, the Spanish spelling adds an initial 'e' and an accent mark: 'estrés.'
Using feminine article
Incorrect: La estrés me está matando.
Correct: El estrés me está matando.
'Estrés' is a masculine noun in Spanish and requires the masculine article 'el.'
Lock in stress 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 Estrés used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using estrés in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El estrés del trabajo me está afectando la salud. 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 stress in Spanish
- Is 'estrés' originally a Spanish word?
- The word 'estrés' was borrowed from English and adapted to Spanish spelling conventions, including the addition of an initial 'e' and a written accent — it is now fully accepted by the Real Academia Española.
- How do you say 'stressed out' in Spanish?
- The adjective form is 'estresado' (masculine) or 'estresada' (feminine), as in 'estoy muy estresada' (I am very stressed out).
- What is the verb form of 'estrés'?
- The verb 'estresar' means to stress or to cause stress, and 'estresarse' is the reflexive form meaning to get stressed, as in 'no te estreses' (don't stress yourself).