Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tener una rabieta | /teneɾ una ɾabjeta/ (from spelling rules) |
| dársele un berrinche | /daɾsele un berint͡ʃe/ (from spelling rules) |
| agarrar una pataleta | /aɡaraɾ una pataleta/ (from spelling rules) |
| hacer un berrenchín | /aθeɾ un berent͡ʃin/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ un berent͡ʃin/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| estallar una verraquera | /estaʝaɾ una berakeɾa/ (from spelling rules) |
| venírsele una chilladera | /beniɾsele una t͡ʃiʝadeɾa/ (from spelling rules) |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tener una rabieta literally translates to to have a tantrum.
Which one should you use?
The form dársele un berrinche implies the tantrum happened suddenly or as an uncontrollable impulse. Using the verb hacer in hacer un berrenchín emphasizes the act of performing the tantrum. Echar un berrinche is another way to express throwing a tantrum.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
berrinche is considered a more informal word for a tantrum than rabieta. The expression Echar un berrinche is also informal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you will frequently hear the term agarrar una pataleta to describe a child's tantrum. In Spain, if someone is making a scene or creating a loud commotion, you may hear the phrases montar un pollo or montar un numerito.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form dársele un berrinche uses the indirect object pronoun se to indicate that the tantrum happened to the person, often implying it was an uncontrollable impulse.
How do you pronounce it?
/teneɾ una ɾabjeta/
Did you know?
- In Spain, instead of using words related to children or temper, you might 'mount a chicken' (montar un pollo) to describe someone making a loud, public scene.
- The word berrinche is unexpectedly related to wild animals, as it is derived from the Latin word for a wild boar.
- If you use the phrase agarrar una pataleta, you are literally saying 'to grab a little foot stomp' because it comes from the word pata, meaning 'leg' or 'paw'.
Examples in context
- El cliente tuvo un acceso de ira cuando no recibió la respuesta que esperaba.The client threw a tantrum when he didn't get the expected response.
- La niña hizo un berrinche en medio de la tienda porque quería un juguete nuevo.The girl threw a fit in the middle of the store because she wanted a new toy.
- Juan echó un berrinche cuando perdió el partido de fútbol.Juan threw a tantrum when he lost the soccer game.
- El niño suele tener una rabieta en el supermercado.The boy tends to throw a tantrum in the supermarket.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing their children's behavior.
- MateoLucía, mi hijo quiere tener una rabieta ahora mismo.Lucía, my son wants to throw a tantrum right now.
- LucíaTrata de distraerlo con un dulce, Mateo.Try to distract him with a candy, Mateo.
- MateoNo funcionó, ya empezó a tener una rabieta.It didn't work, he already started to throw a tantrum.
- LucíaTen paciencia, ya se le pasará pronto.Be patient, it will pass soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “throw a tantrum” translations, 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 agarrar, berrinche, pataleta, rabieta, tener, un, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
