Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “thriller” in Spanish! Whether you want to express your love for suspenseful movies, books, or simply expand your vocabulary, knowing the right Spanish word for “thriller” is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to say “thriller” in Spanish, along with some useful tips, examples, and regional variations. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Thriller” in Spanish
If you’re looking for a formal way to express “thriller” in Spanish, you have a few options. These terms are commonly used in academic or professional contexts:
- Suspense – Pronunciation: [sus-pen-se] – This term is widely recognized in Spanish-speaking countries and accurately denotes the genre of thrilling suspense.
- Intriga – Pronunciation: [in-tree-gah] – This term specifically refers to the genre of suspenseful stories, such as books and movies, and is often used interchangeably with “suspense”.
Examples:
La película que vi ayer fue un gran suspense. (The movie I watched yesterday was a great thriller.)
Disfruto mucho la intriga que se desarrolla en los libros de misterio. (I really enjoy the suspense that unfolds in mystery books.)
Informal Ways to Say “Thriller” in Spanish
When it comes to casual conversations or informal settings, you may come across different terms to convey the meaning of “thriller” in Spanish. Here are some popular informal alternatives:
- Novela policíaca – Pronunciation: [no-veh-la po-li-see-ah-cah] – This phrase literally translates to “crime novel” and is commonly used to refer to thrilling detective stories or crime thrillers.
- Película de miedo – Pronunciation: [pe-li-ku-la de mie-do] – Although it literally means “scary movie,” this phrase is often used to describe horror movies that have a thrilling or suspenseful element.
Examples:
Me encanta leer novelas policíacas porque siempre tienen una trama llena de suspense. (I love reading crime novels because they always have a suspenseful plot.)
Vamos a ver una película de miedo esta noche. ¿Te gustan las películas de suspense? (Let’s watch a scary movie tonight. Do you like suspense movies?)
Regional Variations
While these terms are widely understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, it’s worth noting that there might be some regional variations. Here are a few that you may encounter:
- Thriller – Pronunciation: [tree-lehr] – While this English loanword is commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries, it tends to be more prevalent in regions with a higher English language influence, such as the United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Central America.
- Película de suspenso – Pronunciation: [pe-li-ku-la de sus-pen-so] – This is a more literal translation of “thriller” and is often used in Mexico and some South American countries.
Examples:
Todavía recuerdo cuando salió ese nuevo thriller del famoso autor. (I still remember when that new thriller by the famous author came out.)
Vamos a disfrutar una película de suspenso que me recomendaron. (We’re going to enjoy a thriller movie that was recommended to me.)
In Conclusion
Now, armed with a variety of ways to say “thriller” in Spanish, you can confidently discuss your favorite suspenseful movies, books, and more. Remember that “suspense” and “intriga” are great formal options, while “novela policíaca” and “película de miedo” work well in casual conversations. Be aware of regional variations like “thriller” and “película de suspenso” depending on the Spanish-speaking country you’re in.
Expand your language skills and add some excitement to your discussions by incorporating these Spanish words for “thriller.” Happy storytelling and enjoy the suspense!
