Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| espantoso | /espanˈtoso/ |
| chocante | /t͡ʃoˈkante/ |
| feísimo | /feˈisimo/ |
The terms used for 'hideous' generally describe something that is extremely ugly. While espantoso emphasizes a sense of being frightening or terrible to look at, other forms like feísimo simply intensify the word for 'ugly'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word espantoso is derived from the verb espantar, which means to frighten or to scare, making the literal sense of the word 'frightful' or 'terrifying'.
Which one should you use?
While espantoso refers to something that is visually hideous or frightening, chocante is used to describe something that is jarring, offensive or socially shocking.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the colloquial and vulgar expression feo/a de cojones is used to convey extreme hideousness.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective espantoso must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use espantosa for feminine singular nouns and espantosos for masculine plural nouns. The form feísimo is an intensified version of the adjective feo (ugly) created by adding the superlative suffix -ísimo.
How do you pronounce it?
/espanˈtoso/
Did you know?
- The colloquial phrase feo de cojones uses a word for 'testicles' as an intensifier to mean 'extremely hideous'.
- The word chocante comes from the verb chocar, which literally means 'to crash' or 'to collide'.
- While chocante can mean 'hideous' in a jarring sense, it is also used to describe something 'surprising' or 'striking' in a positive or neutral way.
Examples in context
- Ahí solía vivir un monstruo espantoso.A hideous monster used to live there.This sentence uses espantoso to describe a monster.Tatoeba #1756300 by Shishir, translation #28320 by CK
- Ellos construyeron un espantoso edificio nuevo en nuestro pueblo.They built a hideous new building in our village.This sentence uses espantoso to describe a new building.Tatoeba #10065238 by manufrutos, translation #10064896 by meshbags
- ¡El cuadro en la sala de reuniones es horrendo!The painting in the meeting room is hideous!
- La situación actual es espantosa.The current situation is hideous.
- ¡La decoración del apartamento es orripilante!The apartment's decoration is hideous!
- Ese vestido es espantoso.That dress is hideous.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a new piece of art.
- MateoMira ese cuadro.Look at that painting.
- MaríaEs un color espantoso.It is a hideous color.
- MateoTienes razón, es horrible.You are right, it is horrible.
- MaríaNo me gusta nada.I don't like it at all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hideous” translations and entries espantoso, chocante, feísimo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chocante, espantoso, feísimo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
