Tengo resaca
/tenɡo ɾesaka/from spelling rules
To say "I have a hangover" in Spanish, you say Tengo resaca.
Tengo resaca translates to "I have a hangover". If you want to emphasize that you have a particularly bad hangover, you can say Tener una resaca de muerte, which means "to have a killer hangover".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tener (to have) and the noun resaca (hangover/undertow).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is very common to use the word cruda instead of resaca, such as in Tengo cruda. You may also hear the slang Estoy de cruda to say "I am hungover" in some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico. In parts of Colombia and Venezuela, the term guayabo is frequently used to describe a hangover, as in Tengo guayabo.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ɾesaka/
Did you know?
- In some Caribbean contexts, a hangover can be referred to as a ratón, which literally means 'mouse'.
- The Colombian term guayabo is actually the name of a tropical fruit. Using it to describe a hangover is a colorful piece of local slang.
- The word resaca is also the technical term for the 'undertow' or the receding water in the ocean. This creates a vivid image of the physical sensation of being pulled under by a wave after drinking.
Examples in context
- Tengo resaca y mareo.I have a hangover and I'm dizzy.This sentence is useful for saying you have a hangover and are dizzy.Tatoeba #13687662 by Seael, translation #9227269 by Nylez
- Hoy tengo resaca.I have a hangover today.This sentence is useful for saying you have a hangover today.Tatoeba #1250864 by marcelostockle, translation #242651 by CK
- Tengo resaca.I have a hangover.This sentence is useful for stating that you have a hangover.Tatoeba #338535 by tatoerique, translation #280988 by CK
- ¡Uf! Anoche bebí demasiado, ¡tengo una resaca tremenda!Phew! Last night I drank too much, I have a terrible hangover!
- Amigo, me pegó fuerte la borrachera. Necesito un remedio para la cruda.Dude, the drunkenness hit me hard. I need a hangover cure.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking at home the morning after a party.
- LucíaMateo, ¿quieres desayunar algo?Mateo, do you want to eat some breakfast?
- MateoNo, Lucía, tengo resaca.No, Lucía, I have a hangover.
- LucíaYo también tengo resaca.I have a hangover too.
- MateoNecesitamos dormir un poco más.We need to sleep a little more.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
