horror
/oˈroɾ/masculine
The Spanish word for 'horror' is horror.
horror is a masculine noun meaning intense distressing fear or repugnance.
Meaning: intense distressing fear or repugnance (noun)
Which one should you use?
While horror is often used for the genre and general feelings of repugnance, the word terror is frequently used in more formal or literary contexts to describe an overwhelming, paralyzing fear. Additionally, when referring to the horror movie genre, the phrase películas de terror is more common in many Spanish-speaking regions than películas de horror.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Central America, the word espanto is more commonly used to denote a feeling of terror or something frightening.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form derived from this noun is horroroso, which is used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or causes horror.
How do you pronounce it?
/oˈroɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word horror shares a linguistic ancestor with the French word ordure, which means 'trash' or 'filth'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, calling something horroroso is a common way to describe something aesthetically hideous or poorly made, rather than something frightening.
- The adjective horroroso is frequently used in a hyperbolic way to describe everyday inconveniences, similar to how an English speaker might say something is 'awful'.
Examples in context
- No me gustan las películas de horror.I don't like horror movies.This sentence shows how to use horror when talking about movies you do not like.Tatoeba #9510722 by stormy_clau, translation #2322735 by CK
- ¿A Tom le gusta ver películas de horror?Does Tom enjoy watching horror movies?This sentence uses horror to ask a question about someone's movie preferences.Tatoeba #1357521 by marcelostockle, translation #1027623 by CK
- A mi hermano le gustan las películas de horror.My brother likes horror movies.This sentence uses horror to express a sibling's preference for a movie genre.Tatoeba #1458063 by marcelostockle, translation #237860 by CK
- La película de terror fue increíblemente aterradora.The horror movie was incredibly terrifying.
- La novela de Stephen King es un gran ejemplo de horror moderno.Stephen King's novel is a great example of modern horror.
- La atmósfera del cuento creaba un pavor incontrolable.The atmosphere of the story created an uncontrollable horror.
- ¡Esa película de miedo fue tan aterradora!That horror movie was so terrifying!
- ¿Vamos a ver una película de terror esta noche?Are we going to watch a horror movie tonight?
- La película de espanto nos mantuvo despiertos toda la noche.The horror movie kept us awake all night.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing a scary story they read.
- SofíaSiento horror al pensar en esa historia.I feel horror when thinking about that story.
- MateoYo también, fue realmente impactante.Me too, it was really shocking.
- SofíaEs un horror imaginar que pasó en serio.It is a horror to imagine that it actually happened.
- MateoMejor hablemos de otra cosa, Sofía.Let's talk about something else, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “horror” translations and entries horror, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries horror, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
