susto repentino
/susto ɾepentino/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "jump scare" is translated into Spanish as susto repentino. Wiktionary also lists sobresalto and aguadón súbito.
Meaning: a technique to suddenly scare the audience (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| susto repentino | /susto ɾepentino/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| sobresalto | /sobɾeˈsalto/ | masculine |
| aguadón súbito | /aɡwadon subito/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| quisa subitánea | /kisa subitanea/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| naco brusco | /nako bɾusko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| julepe abrupto | /xulepe abɾubto/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| jumpscare | /ˈʝumbskeɾ/ | Anglicism, masculine |
A jump scare refers to a technique used to suddenly scare an audience. To describe the act of performing a jump scare on someone, you can use the verbal phrase dar un susto.
Which one should you use?
The term jumpscare is an Anglicism frequently used within gaming and horror movie communities.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase susto repentino is a masculine noun. The form quisa subitánea is feminine. Most other forms provided, such as sobresalto, aguadón súbito, naco brusco and julepe abrupto, are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/susto ɾepentino/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, susto is not just a jump scare but is recognized as a cultural illness where a traumatic fright causes physical or mental illness.
- The adjective repentino comes from the Latin word repēns, which refers to something that creeps or crawls, suggesting a scare that sneaks up on you.
- While susto repentino is the formal term, the word julepe is a colorful, colloquial way to describe a sudden fright in countries like Argentina and Uruguay.
Examples in context
- La escena del grito repentino en la película me provocó un sustazo.The sudden scream scene in the movie gave me a jump scare.
- Ese susto repentino me hizo saltar del asiento.That jump scare made me jump out of my seat.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing a horror movie they just watched.
- MaríaMe asusté con ese susto repentino al final.I got scared with that jump scare at the end.
- DanielYo también, no me lo esperaba para nada.Me too, I wasn't expecting it at all.
- María¿Crees que usan demasiados sustos repentinos?Do you think they use too many jump scares?
- DanielSí, prefiero el suspenso lento.Yes, I prefer slow suspense.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jump scare” translations and entries sobresalto, jumpscare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries repentino, sobresalto, susto, súbito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
