espantoso
/espanˈtoso/
The Spanish word for scary is espantoso. Wiktionary also lists temeroso.
Meaning: causing fear or anxiety (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| espantoso | /espanˈtoso/ |
| temeroso | /temeˈɾoso/ |
Espantoso is used to describe something that causes fear or anxiety. It is often used to describe things that are not just scary, but also terrible, awful or visually shocking.
What does it mean word for word?
The word espantoso is derived from the verb espantar, which means to frighten or to scare away.
Which one should you use?
While espantoso means scary (causing fear), temeroso means fearful (feeling fear).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective espantoso must change to espantosa to agree with a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/espanˈtoso/
Did you know?
- The term temeroso can sometimes be used in a religious context to describe someone who has a 'fear of God' or is pious.
- The word temeroso has a direct linguistic cousin in the English word 'timorous', both descending from the same Latin roots involving fear.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the verb espantar can mean to 'scare away' an animal or a person, rather than just causing them to feel fear.
Examples in context
- La historia tiene un final terroríficoThe story has a terrifying ending
- La casa abandonada era horripilanteThe abandoned house was horrifying
- La montaña rusa fue acojonanteThe roller coaster was scary as hell
- ¡Esa película de terror es acojonante! No puedo dormir después de verla.That horror movie is scary as hell! I can't sleep after watching it.
- La película de terror fue de miedoThe horror movie was scary
- La situación fue espeluznante. Me dio mucho miedo.The situation was creepy. It scared me a lot.
- El hombre lobo aulló aterradoramente durante la noche.The werewolf howled terrifyingly throughout the night.
- ¡El payaso me da pánico!The clown terrifies me!
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about a nightmare.
- MaríaTuve un sueño espantoso anoche.I had a scary dream last night.
- Javier¿Qué pasó en el sueño, María?What happened in the dream, María?
- MaríaHabía una sombra que me seguía.There was a shadow following me.
- JavierEso suena muy aterrador, Javier.That sounds very terrifying, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scary” translations and entries espantoso, temeroso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries espantoso, temeroso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
