Spanish · Emotions & Descriptions
"Sad" in Spanish: triste
triste
Sad in Spanish is triste (TREES-teh). Triste does not change for gender in the singular. Say estoy triste for how you feel now. The plural is tristes.
After bad news
Estoy un poco triste hoy.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce triste
Say it
TREES-teh
/ˈtɾiste/
TREES-teh. Stress TREES. Keep triste clear on both syllables.
"Sad" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| triste | sad Default adjective for sad feelings or sad news. | Default adjective for sad feelings or sad news. |
| tristes | sad (plural) Agree with plural nouns or people. | Agree with plural nouns or people. |
| deprimido / deprimida | depressed Stronger and more clinical than triste. | Stronger and more clinical than triste. |
| una pena | a pity; sadness Qué pena softens bad news without saying triste. | Qué pena softens bad news without saying triste. |
How to use triste in real life
- 1After bad news
Estoy un poco triste hoy.
I'm a little sad today.
Un poco triste softens the feeling.
- 2About a movie
La película es muy triste.
The movie is very sad.
Triste can describe stories, not only people.
- 3Comforting a friend
No estés triste. Aquí estoy.
Don't be sad. I'm here.
No estés triste is gentle support.
Mistakes English speakers make with triste
Incorrect: Ella está trista.
Correct: Ella está triste.
Triste stays triste for ella. There is no trista.
Incorrect: Soy triste ahora.
Correct: Estoy triste ahora.
A temporary mood takes estar triste, not ser.
Good to know
Naming that you feel triste is normal among friends in Latin America. Soft replies like Lo siento often come before advice about feeling triste. Harsh cheer-up lines can sound cold.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Checking on a friend after a hard day
ChatPal
Te ves triste. ¿Qué pasó?
You look sad. What happened?
You
Estoy triste por la noticia.
I'm sad about the news.
ChatPal
Lo entiendo. No tienes que estar triste solo.
I get it. You don't have to be sad alone.
You
Gracias. Hablar ayuda un poco.
Thanks. Talking helps a little.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Sad" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sad" in Spanish
Does triste change for gender?
No in the singular. Él está triste, ella está triste. Plural: tristes.
How do you pronounce triste?
TREES-teh with stress on TREES. Keep both syllables clear.
Ser or estar with triste?
Estar triste for a current mood. Ser triste can sound like a lasting trait.
What can I say instead of estoy triste?
Qué pena or Me da tristeza work in soft, everyday talk.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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