acoso
/aˈkoso/masculine
The English word harassment is translated into Spanish as acoso. Wiktionary also lists hostigamiento.
Meaning: persistent attacks and criticism causing worry and distress (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| acoso | /aˈkoso/ | masculine |
| hostigamiento | /ostiɡaˈmjento/ | masculine |
Harassment refers to persistent attacks and criticism causing worry and distress. In Spanish, acoso is the most common term for various types of harassment, such as sexual or cyber harassment. The standard phrase for sexual harassment is acoso sexual, and the term acoso laboral refers specifically to workplace harassment.
Which one should you use?
While acoso is the most common term used for general harassment, hostigamiento is often used in more formal, legal or administrative contexts to describe persistent harassment or pestering.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun acoso is derived from the verb acosar, which means to harass or to stalk.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈkoso/
Did you know?
- The verb acosar originally referred to the act of hunting animals by surrounding them and driving them toward a trap.
- In Spanish, the same root as acoso is used in the phrase acosar el juego, which means to press an opponent hard in a sporting match.
- While acoso laboral is the general term for workplace harassment, many Spanish speakers use the loanword mobbing to specifically describe psychological bullying by colleagues.
Examples in context
- El acoso sexual se ha convertido actualmente en un tema social.Sexual harassment has now become a social issue.This sentence shows how acoso is used in a social context.Tatoeba #1630525 by marcelostockle, translation #51336 by CM
- Cuando le dije que nunca había visto una chica tan poco agraciada, ella me acusó de acoso sexual.When I told her I'd never seen such a homely girl, she accused me of sexual harassment.This sentence provides an example of an accusation involving acoso.Tatoeba #1607812 by teskmon, translation #73927 by pip
- No es acoso.It's not harassment.This sentence shows a simple negation of the word acoso.Tatoeba #13214143 by frpzzd, translation #13214131 by EugeneGS
- El acoso laboral es una grave violación de los derechos de los trabajadores.Workplace harassment is a serious violation of workers' rights.
- La víctima denunció el hostigamiento por parte de su vecino.The victim reported the harassment by her neighbor.
- El tribunal consideró que las pruebas eran consistentes con una situación de intimidación.The court considered that the evidence was consistent with a situation of intimidation.
- Este hombre no deja de molestarme en el transporte público.This man won't stop bothering me on public transport.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing a difficult situation at a workplace.
- MateoSiento que sufro acoso en mi oficina.I feel like I am suffering harassment in my office.
- SofíaLo siento mucho, Mateo, es una situación horrible.I am so sorry, Mateo, it is a horrible situation.
- MateoNo sé si debo denunciar este acoso.I don't know if I should report this harassment.
- SofíaDebes hacerlo para protegerte, Sofía te apoya.You should do it to protect yourself, Sofía supports you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “harassment” translations and entries acoso, hostigamiento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
