pesadilla
/pesaˈdiʝa/feminine
The English phrase 'nightmare' is translated into Spanish as pesadilla. Wiktionary also lists mal sueño.
Meaning: dream (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pesadilla | /pesaˈdiʝa/ | feminine |
| mal sueño | /mal sweɲo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
Like in English, pesadilla can be used metaphorically to describe a terrible or stressful real-life situation, such as a difficult job or a bureaucratic process.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pesadilla is derived from pesa (weight) and the suffix -adilla, historically relating to a heavy weight or pressure on the chest during sleep.
Which one should you use?
While pesadilla is the most common way to say 'nightmare', mal sueño is a more literal, descriptive way to say 'bad dream'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because pesadilla is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine indefinite article una instead of the masculine un. Because mal sueño is a masculine noun phrase, you must use the masculine indefinite article un.
How do you pronounce it?
/pesaˈdiʝa/
Did you know?
- The term pesadilla is conceptually related to the 'Old Hag' folklore, where a supernatural being sits on a sleeper's chest to cause a nightmare.
- The suffix -illa in pesadilla is a diminutive, meaning the word literally translates to a 'little weight'.
- While pesadilla refers to a nightmare, the word pesado is commonly used to describe a person who is annoying or tedious.
Examples in context
- Esto es una pesadilla.This is a nightmare.Tatoeba #5568059 by swyter, translation #2217183 by Hybrid
- Solo fue una pesadilla.It was only a nightmare.Tatoeba #1598211 by marcelostockle, translation #1585199 by Gulliver
- Han tenido una pesadilla.They've had a nightmare.Tatoeba #2389670 by Shishir, translation #9203054 by DJ_Saidez
- Anoche tuve un mal sueño muy inquietanteLast night, I had a very unsettling nightmare.
- El niño despertó llorando después de tener un sueño aterradorThe child woke up crying after having a terrifying nightmare.
- Ayer tuve un mal sueño tan espantoso que me desperté sudandoYesterday, I had such a terrifying nightmare that I woke up sweating.
- ¡No puedo dormir luego de esa pesadilla tan espeluznante!I can't sleep after such a creepy nightmare!
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María wakes up and tells Alejandro about her sleep.
- MaríaTuve una pesadilla muy fea.I had a very scary nightmare.
- AlejandroLo siento, María. ¿Qué pasó?I'm sorry, María. What happened?
- MaríaNo recuerdo la pesadilla completa.I don't remember the whole nightmare.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, ya pasó.Don't worry, it's over now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nightmare” translations and entries pesadilla, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
