exasperante
/eɡsaspeˈɾante/
The English word "exasperating" is translated into Spanish as exasperante.
exasperante is used to describe someone or something that is intensely irritating or frustrating.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the cause and the feeling: exasperante describes the thing causing the frustration, such as an exasperating situation, whereas exasperado/a describes a person who is feeling the frustration.
How does it change in a sentence?
exasperante is an adjective that remains the same regardless of whether the noun it modifies is masculine or feminine. To make the adjective plural, add an -s to the end to get exasperantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsaspeˈɾante/
Did you know?
- While exasperante is a direct translation, Spanish speakers often use the phrase sacar de quicio to describe the act of being exasperating. It literally means 'to pull something out of its groove', referring to a mechanical part being forced out of place.
- In Spanish, the root word exasperar originally comes from the Latin 'exasperare', meaning 'to make rough'. To be exasperating is etymologically similar to rubbing someone's nerves with sandpaper.
- If you want to describe an 'exasperating' person in a more colloquial way in Spain, you might call them un pesado, which literally translates to 'a heavy one'.
Examples in context
- ¡La situación es exasperante! No puedo creer lo irresponsables que sonThe situation is exasperating! I can't believe how irresponsible they are
- El tráfico en esta ciudad es completamente desesperante. Nunca llegas a tiempo a ninguna parteThe traffic in this city is completely exasperating. You never arrive anywhere on time
- ¡Pero qué desesperante! Siempre llega tarde sin ninguna excusaBut how exasperating! He always arrives late without any excuse
- Mis vecinos son tan molestos. Hacen ruido todas las noches y no puedo dormirMy neighbors are so annoying. They make noise every night and I can't sleep
- Ya estoy harto de sus mentiras. Es realmente hartante tener que escucharlas todo el tiempoI am already fed up with their lies. It is really exasperating to have to listen to them all the time
- Es una situación exasperante.It is an exasperating situation.
- Este ruido constante es exasperante.This constant noise is exasperating.
- Su actitud con los clientes es exasperante.His attitude with customers is exasperating.
- Es un proceso muy exasperante para todos.It is a very exasperating process for everyone.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about a slow computer.
- ElenaMi computadora está lentísima hoy.My computer is so slow today.
- MateoEso suena muy exasperante, Elena.That sounds very exasperating, Elena.
- ElenaNo puedo terminar mi trabajo así.I can't finish my work like this.
- MateoPrueba a reiniciarla, Mateo te ayuda.Try restarting it, Mateo will help you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry exasperante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
