pesadilla
/pesaˈdiʝa/feminine
The English word 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 |
Just like in English, pesadilla can be used metaphorically to describe a terrible or stressful situation in real life.
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?
pesadilla is a feminine noun. In contrast, the phrase mal sueño is masculine and requires the masculine article un.
How do you pronounce it?
/pesaˈdiʝa/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Esto es una pesadilla.This is a nightmare.This example shows how to use pesadilla to state that a situation is a nightmare.Tatoeba #5568059 by swyter, translation #2217183 by Hybrid
- Solo fue una pesadilla.It was only a nightmare.This sentence uses pesadilla to describe a past event.Tatoeba #1598211 by marcelostockle, translation #1585199 by Gulliver
- Han tenido una pesadilla.They've had a nightmare.This sentence demonstrates using pesadilla to say that someone has experienced a nightmare.Tatoeba #2389670 by Shishir, translation #9203054 by DJ_Saidez
- Tuve una pesadilla anoche.I had a nightmare last night.
- Estoy viviendo una pesadilla.I am living a nightmare.
- Esa película me dio pesadillas.That movie gave me nightmares.
- Anoche tuve un mal sueño.Last night I had a nightmare.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking in their bedroom in the middle of the night.
- María¿Tuviste una pesadilla, Javier?Did you have a nightmare, Javier?
- JavierSí, fue una pesadilla muy fea.Yes, it was a very bad nightmare.
- MaríaLo siento mucho, amor.I am very sorry, love.
- JavierNo te preocupes, ya estoy bien.Don't worry, I am okay 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mal, pesadilla, sueño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
