amargo
/aˈmaɾɡo/
The English word "bitter" is amargo in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists amaro (desus.).
Meaning: having an acrid taste (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| amargo | /aˈmaɾɡo/ |
| amaro (desus.) |
amargo is an adjective used to describe something having an acrid taste. Like in English, amargo can be used both literally to describe a taste and figuratively to describe a person's temperament or a harsh experience. If you want to refer to the noun "bitterness", the word is amargura. Additionally, the related noun bíter refers to a liquid or powder used in mixed drinks or as a tonic.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective amargo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use amarga for feminine nouns, amargos for masculine plural nouns and amargas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈmaɾɡo/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'bitter' can describe the cold, Spanish speakers use amargo for taste and temperament, but use crudo or gélido to describe a 'bitter' winter cold.
- In Spanish, the phrase un café amargo usually means coffee served black and without sugar, rather than a coffee that tastes burnt or unpleasant.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone says 'me amargó la vida', they are not talking about a flavor, but rather that someone has made their life miserable.
Examples in context
- El café es amargo.The coffee is bitter.This sentence is useful for describing the taste of coffee using amargo.Tatoeba #1408524 by marcelostockle, translation #1133803 by Eldad
- Este té es demasiado amargo.This tea is too bitter.This sentence is useful for describing how tea is too bitter using amargo.Tatoeba #1322469 by Shishir, translation #1064226 by CK
- Eso suena amargo, pero claro.That sounds bitter, but clear.This sentence is useful for describing something that sounds bitter using amargo.Tatoeba #1697975 by marcelostockle, translation #9775816 by DJ_Saidez
- El sabor de la medicina es amargoThe taste of the medicine is bitter
- La soledad deja un sabor acerbo en mi corazónLoneliness leaves a bitter taste in my heart
- Mi jefe siempre está amargadoMy boss is always bitter
- El chocolate tiene un sabor agridulceChocolate has a bittersweet taste
- La amargura de la derrota fue difícil de superarThe bitterness of defeat was hard to overcome
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are tasting different chocolate samples in a kitchen.
- Mateo¿Te gusta este chocolate?Do you like this chocolate?
- LucíaNo, es muy amargo para mí.No, it is very bitter for me.
- MateoEs verdad, tiene un sabor fuerte.It's true, it has a strong flavor.
- LucíaPrefiero algo más dulce.I prefer something sweeter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bitter” translations and entries amargo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
