Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| resaca | /reˈsaka/ | feminine |
| caña | /ˈkaɲa/ | Chile, feminine |
| chaqui | /t͡ʃaki/ (from spelling rules) | Bolivia, masculine |
| chuchaqui | /t͡ʃuˈt͡ʃaki/ | Ecuador, masculine |
| cruda | /ˈkɾuda/ | Mexico, feminine |
| goma | /ˈɡoma/ | Central America, feminine |
| guayabo | /ɡwaˈʝabo/ | Colombia, masculine |
| hangover | /anɡobeɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Puerto Rico, masculine |
| perseguidora | /peɾseɡiˈdoɾa/ | Peru, feminine |
| ratón | /raˈton/ | Venezuela, masculine |
| jangóver | /xanɡobeɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| tistapi | /tistapi/ (from spelling rules) | Bolivia, masculine |
All these terms refer to the negative physical effects caused by heavy drinking. While resaca is the standard term understood almost everywhere, many countries have their own specific words. Additionally, the informal adjective crudo/a is used throughout Latin America to describe the state of being hungover.
Which one should you use?
Resaca is the standard, most widely understood term across the Spanish-speaking world, whereas terms like cruda or guayabo are highly regional.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term chuchaqui is considered colloquial or slang. The term crudo/a is informal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, you may hear caña (feminine). In Bolivia, speakers use chaqui (masculine) or tistapi (masculine). In Ecuador, the slang term chuchaqui (masculine) is common. In Mexico, cruda (feminine) is used. In Central America, goma (feminine) is used. In Colombia, the term is guayabo (masculine). In Puerto Rico, hangover (masculine) is used. In Peru, perseguidora (feminine) is used. In Venezuela, the term is ratón (masculine). The term jangóver (masculine) is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Resaca is a feminine noun. To say you 'have a hangover', use the verb tener (to have) with resaca.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈsaka/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tengo resaca y mareo.I have a hangover and I'm dizzy.This sentence shows how to express having a hangover and feeling dizzy using resaca.Tatoeba #13687662 by Seael, translation #9227269 by Nylez
- Tiene una goma horrible.He has a terrible hangover.This sentence uses goma to describe a terrible hangover.Tatoeba #3704859 by cueyayotl, translation #2266343 by _undertoad
- Tengo una resaca tremenda.I have a terrible hangover.This sentence demonstrates how to describe having a huge hangover with resaca.Tatoeba #7365974 by arh, translation #4700002 by CK
- Tuve una resaca terrible después de la fiesta de anoche.I had a terrible hangover after last night's party.
- Me siento mal, tengo una cruda tremenda.I feel bad, I have a tremendous hangover.
- No salgas con él, está muy crudo.Don't go out with him, he's very hungover.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a cafe the morning after a party.
- LucíaNo puedo con esta resaca.I can't deal with this hangover.
- MateoYo también tengo una resaca fatal.I also have a terrible hangover.
- Lucía¿Quieres pedir un café, Mateo?Do you want to order a coffee, Mateo?
- MateoSí, por favor, me hace falta.Yes, please, I need it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hangover” translations and entries resaca, caña, chuchaqui, cruda, goma, guayabo, perseguidora, ratón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
