tengo depresión
/tenɡo depɾesjon/from spelling rules
To say "I have depression" in Spanish, use tengo depresión.
This phrase is a statement used to convey that a person is suffering from the clinical mental health condition known as depression.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tener (to have) in the first-person singular present tense and the noun depresión (depression).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can also use Padezco depresión or Tengo un cuadro depresivo to express that you have depression.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, Spanish does not require an article (like 'a') before the noun depresión when stating one has the condition.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo depɾesjon/
Did you know?
- While tengo depresión refers to the clinical condition, Spanish speakers often use estoy depre as a common slang shorthand to describe feeling temporarily down or moody.
- In some Latin American contexts, people might describe the feeling of depression as tener los nervios or nervios, blending mental health and physical stress into one expression.
- The word depresión is a homonym in Spanish, as it is also the primary term used in geography to describe a sunken area of land.
Examples in context
- Tengo depresión y necesito ayuda profesional.I have depression and I need professional help.
- Tengo depresión desde hace un tiempo.I have had depression for a while.
- No puedo ocultarlo, tengo depresión.I cannot hide it, I have depression.
- Tengo depresión y necesito ayuda médica.I have depression and I need medical help.
Example conversation
Lucía is talking to her friend Javier about her mental health.
- LucíaJavier, necesito contarte algo importante.Javier, I need to tell you something important.
- Javier¿Qué pasa, Lucía? Te noto triste.What's wrong, Lucía? You seem sad.
- LucíaEs que tengo depresión.It's just that I have depression.
- JavierGracias por confiar en mí.Thank you for trusting me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
