guácala
/ˈɡwakala/Mexico
The English phrase "ugh" can be expressed in Spanish using guácala or aj to express disgust.
Meaning: to express disgust (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| guácala | /ˈɡwakala/ | Mexico |
| aj | /ax/ (from spelling rules) |
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
guácala is a colloquial expression and is not suitable for formal settings. If you wish to express disappointment or annoyance in a formal manner, you might use Vaya, qué contrariedad. For informal expressions of annoyance, you could use Ay, qué lata, Ay, qué rollo or the stronger Esto me tiene harto to show you are fed up.
Is it said differently in some regions?
guácala is specifically associated with Mexican Spanish.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡwakala/
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'ugh', which can signal boredom, guácala is almost exclusively reserved for physical or moral repulsion.
- The expression guácala is often accompanied by a physical gesture of pulling the chin back or waving a hand in front of the nose to signal a bad smell.
- While guácala is the go-to for disgust in Mexico, speakers in Spain are more likely to use puaj to express the same feeling.
Examples in context
- Guácala, mami y papi están besándose.Ugh, mommy and daddy are kissing.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use guácala to express disgust regarding a situation.Tatoeba #9171238 by ignacio, translation #9171225 by coyo7e
- Ay, qué fastidio, no puedo encontrar mi billetera.Ugh, I can't find my wallet.
- Vaya, qué contrariedad, el tren se ha retrasado una hora.Ugh, what a setback, the train is delayed by an hour.
- Ay, qué lata, se me olvidaron las llaves.Ugh, I forgot the keys.
- Ay, qué rollo, vamos a tener que quedarnos hasta tarde trabajando.Ugh, we'll have to stay late working.
- ¡Esto me tiene harto! Siempre lo mismo y no cambia nada.Ugh, this has me fed up! It's always the same and nothing changes.
- ¡Guácala! Esa comida huele muy mal.Ugh! That food smells very bad.
- Guácala, no quiero tocar ese insecto.Ugh, I don't want to touch that insect.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are looking at a very old, moldy piece of fruit in the kitchen.
- AlejandroMira este coco, está podrido.Look at this coconut, it is rotten.
- Lucía¡Guácala! Qué asco me da.Ugh! It makes me feel disgusted.
- AlejandroMejor lo tiramos a la basura.Better if we throw it in the trash.
- LucíaSí, no lo toques más, Alejandro.Yes, don't touch it anymore, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ugh” translations and entries guácala, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
