pesadilla
/pesaˈdiʝa/
The English phrase "bad dream" is translated into Spanish as pesadilla.
Pesadilla refers to a frightening or unpleasant experience that occurs while a person is sleeping. For example, you would say tener una pesadilla to mean "to have a bad dream".
What does it mean word for word?
Pesadilla is a single noun that literally translates to "nightmare".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pesadilla is pesadillas, used when referring to bad dreams or nightmares.
How do you pronounce it?
/pesaˈdiʝa/
Did you know?
- The word pesadilla is derived from pesado, meaning 'heavy'. This reflects an ancient belief that nightmares were caused by a demon or witch sitting on a sleeper's chest to crush them.
- Spanish speakers often use pesadilla metaphorically to describe a stressful real-life situation, such as a bureaucratic process or a terrible date, calling it una pesadilla.
- While pesadilla refers to a dream, the adjective pesado is commonly used today to describe a person who is annoying or tedious.
Examples in context
- Fue solo una pesadilla.It was just a bad dream.This sentence is useful for clarifying that an event was just a pesadilla.Tatoeba #2154850 by hayastan, translation #2045355 by CK
- Tom tuvo una pesadilla.Tom had a bad dream.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom had a pesadilla.Tatoeba #3564530 by carlosalberto, translation #1093894 by CK
- Tuve una pesadilla anoche. Fue espantosa.I had a nightmare last night. It was terrifying.
- Anoche tuve un sueño desagradable. No pude dormir bien después de eso.Last night I had an unpleasant dream. I couldn't sleep well after that.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel wakes up startled in the middle of the night.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿qué pasó? Estás temblando.Daniel, what happened? You are shaking.
- DanielTuve una pesadilla horrible.I had a horrible bad dream.
- LucíaTranquilo, Lucía está aquí contigo.Calm down, Lucía is here with you.
- DanielGracias, ahora me siento mejor.Thanks, I feel better now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pesadilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pesadilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
