Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Terrible in Spanish: Terrible
Terrible · adjective · teh-RREE-bleh
The English word 'terrible' translates to 'terrible' in Spanish—a true cognate with nearly identical spelling and meaning. It describes something extremely bad, dreadful, or severe. Synonyms like 'espantoso,' 'horrible,' and 'pésimo' offer varying shades of intensity.
teh-RREE-bleh
El clima ha estado terrible esta semana.
The weather has been terrible this week.
Terrible in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for terrible, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| terrible | terrible | teh-RREE-bleh | Default, widely understood |
| espantoso | terrible | emphasizes horror or fright | |
| horrible | terrible | general intensifier | |
| pésimo | terrible | worst possible quality |
How Native Speakers Use Terrible
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing an experience
Tuvimos una experiencia terrible en ese restaurante.
We had a terrible experience at that restaurant.
Recounting a negative dining experience.
Emotional reaction
Me siento terrible por lo que dije anoche.
I feel terrible about what I said last night.
Expressing guilt or remorse about past behavior.
News commentary
Las noticias sobre el terremoto fueron terribles.
The news about the earthquake was terrible.
Reacting to a tragic current event.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Terrible
Pronunciation error
Incorrect: Saying 'TEH-rih-bul' with English vowels.
Correct: Pronounce it 'teh-RREE-bleh' with Spanish vowel sounds.
Even though the spelling is almost identical, the pronunciation differs significantly. Spanish 'terrible' has a rolled 'rr' and the stress falls on the second syllable.
Overusing cognate
Incorrect: La comida estaba terrible.
Correct: La comida estaba pésima.
While 'terrible' works, native speakers often prefer 'pésimo/a' when describing food quality because it specifically means 'of the worst quality.'
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Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Terrible used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Terrible in Spanish
- Is 'terrible' the same in Spanish and English?
- The spelling is virtually identical and the core meaning is the same—extremely bad or dreadful. However, the Spanish pronunciation places stress on the second syllable and uses distinct vowel sounds, so it sounds quite different when spoken aloud.
- What are some synonyms for 'terrible' in Spanish?
- Common alternatives include 'horrible' (horrible), 'espantoso' (frightful), 'pésimo' (worst possible), and 'horroroso' (horrendous). Each carries a slightly different connotation depending on whether you want to emphasize fear, quality, or severity.
- Can 'terrible' be used positively in Spanish?
- In colloquial speech, 'terrible' can occasionally carry an admiring tone, similar to how English speakers might say 'terribly good.' For instance, in some Latin American countries, calling someone 'terrible' can mean they are remarkably bold or impressive in a playful way.