triste
/ˈtɾiste/
The English word 'sad' is translated into Spanish as triste. Wiktionary also lists marrido (desus.) and hacino (desus.).
Meaning: feeling sorrow (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| triste | /ˈtɾiste/ |
| marrido (desus.) | |
| hacino (desus.) |
The word triste is the most straightforward translation for the feeling of sorrow. Depending on the specific emotion, you might use other terms: desconsolado/a for being heartbroken, afligido/a for being distressed or dolorido/a for being sorrowful.
Which one should you use?
While triste is the standard term, you may encounter more specific nuances. Use apenado/a for a more formal expression of sadness, and use the colloquial phrase de bajón to describe feeling down, low or saddened in an informal way.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective triste is invariant in gender, so it remains the same whether the subject is masculine or feminine. To express the plural, add an -s to form tristes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɾiste/
Did you know?
- The archaic term hacino reveals a hidden history of the Spanish language, as it was actually borrowed from the Arabic word ḥazīn.
- The expression estar triste describes a temporary state, but ser triste describes a personality trait or a depressing piece of art.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying me da pena can mean 'it makes me sad' or 'I feel sorry for them' depending on the region.
Examples in context
- Ella se veía triste.She looked sad.This sentence shows how to use triste to describe how someone looks.Tatoeba #1283015 by marcelostockle, translation #316541 by CK
- Estoy triste sin ti.I'm sad without you.This sentence demonstrates using triste to express personal feeling.Tatoeba #2152234 by Shishir, translation #618153 by kebukebu
- Tom está muy triste.Tom is very sad.This sentence shows how to use the word triste with an intensifier like 'very'.Tatoeba #2498833 by Shishir, translation #2273607 by CK
- Estoy triste.I am sad.
- Me causó mucha tristeza su partida.His departure caused me a lot of sadness.
- Me siento apenado por su situación.I feel sad for his situation.
- Ella se sintió apenada por el fracaso de su proyecto.She felt sad about the failure of her project.
- Está tristona porque no pudo ir al concierto.She's feeling sad because she couldn't go to the concert.
- Nos vimos tristones después de ver esa película tan triste.We looked really sad after watching that sad movie.
- Me encuentro de bajón hoy.I'm feeling down today.
- Después de su ruptura, se quedó de bajón durante semanas.After their breakup, they stayed down for weeks.
- Muy tristeVery sad
- Realmente apenado/aTruly sad
- Me haces sentir triste.You make me feel sad.
- La pérdida de su mascota le causa mucha tristeza.The loss of their pet causes them a lot of sadness.
- 260 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are talking about a movie at a cafe.
- María¿Por qué estás tan triste, Daniel?Why are you so sad, Daniel?
- DanielLa película me puso muy triste.The movie made me very sad.
- MaríaEs verdad, el final es triste.It's true, the ending is sad.
- DanielSí, es un final muy triste.Yes, it is a very sad ending.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sad” translations and entries triste, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacino, triste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
