mi peor pesadilla
/mi peoɾ pesadiʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "my worst nightmare" is translated into Spanish as mi peor pesadilla.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mi (my), peor (worst) and pesadilla (nightmare).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "my worst nightmares", both the possessive adjective and the noun must be pluralized: mis peores pesadillas.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi peoɾ pesadiʝa/
Did you know?
- The English word 'pejorative' and the Spanish word peor both stem from the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'foot', which evolved through Latin to signify 'lower' or 'worse'.
- In Spanish, the suffix -illa used in pesadilla is a diminutive. While it usually makes things smaller or cuter, here it creates a specific noun that differs from the general state of being 'heavy'.
- In Portuguese, the equivalent of pesadilla is pesadelo. Both languages link the experience of a nightmare to the sensation of heaviness, though they use different suffixes.
Examples in context
- Ver arañas es mi peor pesadilla.Seeing spiders is my worst nightmare.
- Perder mis llaves es mi peor pesadilla.Losing my keys is my worst nightmare.
- Esa película fue mi peor pesadilla.That movie was my worst nightmare.
- El tráfico en esta ciudad es mi peor pesadilla.The traffic in this city is my worst nightmare.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing their fears while driving through heavy traffic.
- DanielEste tráfico es mi peor pesadilla.This traffic is my worst nightmare.
- LucíaTe entiendo, Daniel, es muy estresante.I understand you, Daniel, it is very stressful.
- DanielPrefiero caminar que estar aquí.I prefer walking over being here.
- LucíaYa casi llegamos, no te preocupes.We are almost there, don't worry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi, peor, pesadilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
