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A2 verb #5,000 most common 7 min read

enfadar

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips enfadar in 30 Seconds

Explanation enfadar in your Level:

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

enfadar in 30 Seconds

Enfadar means to anger or annoy someone.
It's used when someone's actions cause frustration or displeasure.
The reflexive form 'enfadarse' means 'to get angry'.
Context determines the intensity of the anger.

Definition: To make someone angry or annoyed. It describes the action of causing someone to feel frustration, irritation, or anger. This can range from mild annoyance to significant displeasure, depending on the situation and the intensity of the action causing the feeling.
Usage Contexts: You might use 'enfadar' when someone's actions or words provoke a negative emotional response. For instance, if someone is being inconsiderate, their behavior could 'enfadar' another person. It's a common verb used in everyday conversations to describe interpersonal conflicts or frustrations. It can be used reflexively ('enfadarse') to mean 'to get angry'.
Nuance: The degree of anger can vary. 'Enfadar' can describe a slight irritation or a full-blown rage. The context and tone of voice are crucial in determining the severity of the emotion being conveyed. It's a versatile verb that captures a common human experience of being provoked.

No me gusta cuando el ruido me enfada durante mi estudio.

Etymology Hint: The word 'enfadar' likely comes from the Latin word 'infantiare', which means 'to become angry'. This connection can help you remember its core meaning of causing anger.

Intentar no me enfadar con la burocracia.

Basic Structure: The verb 'enfadar' typically follows the structure: Subject + enfadar + Object (the person being angered). For example, 'Tus comentarios me enfadan' (Your comments anger me).
Reflexive Use ('enfadarse'): The reflexive form 'enfadarse' means 'to get angry'. The structure is: Subject + reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) + enfadarse (conjugated). For example, 'Ella se enfada fácilmente' (She gets angry easily).
With Causative Actions: You can also link the cause of the anger: 'El retraso me enfada' (The delay angers me) or 'La falta de respeto le enfada mucho' (The lack of respect angers him/her a lot).
In Questions: Questions can be formed by inverting the subject and verb, or by using question words. '¿Por qué te enfadas?' (Why are you getting angry?) or '¿Te enfada esta situación?' (Does this situation anger you?).
Conjugation Examples: Present: Yo me enfado, tú te enfadas, él/ella se enfada. Preterite: Me enfadé, te enfadaste, se enfadó. Imperfect: Me enfadaba, te enfadabas, se enfadaba. Future: Me enfadaré, te enfadarás, se enfadará. Conditional: Me enfadaría, te enfadarías, se enfadaría.

Sus excusas constantes me enfadan.

No te enfades conmigo, solo intento ayudarte.

Everyday Conversations: You'll hear 'enfadar' and its reflexive form 'enfadarse' very frequently in casual conversations among native Spanish speakers. It's used to describe minor irritations, disagreements, and general feelings of annoyance that arise in daily life, such as traffic jams, long queues, or frustrating interactions.
Family and Friends: Discussions about relationships often involve this verb. For example, 'Mi hermano se enfadó porque no le presté mi coche' (My brother got angry because I didn't lend him my car). It's a natural way to express how someone's actions affected another person's mood.
Media and News: In news reports or discussions about public figures, you might hear about politicians or celebrities getting 'enfadado' or causing others to 'enfadar'. It's used to describe reactions to policies, statements, or events.
Literature and Film: Authors and screenwriters use 'enfadar' to develop characters and create dramatic tension. A character might become 'enfadado' due to betrayal, injustice, or a misunderstanding, driving the plot forward.
Workplace Situations: While often used informally, it can appear in descriptions of workplace dynamics, especially when discussing interpersonal conflicts or reactions to stressful situations. 'El jefe se enfadó por el error en el informe' (The boss got angry about the error in the report).

La lentitud del servicio me enfada mucho.

Confusing 'enfadar' with 'enfadarse': A common error is using 'enfadar' when 'enfadarse' is intended, or vice versa. Remember: 'enfadar' (transitive) means 'to anger someone', requiring a direct object (e.g., 'Me enfada la música alta' - Loud music angers me). 'Enfadarse' (reflexive) means 'to get angry', and the subject is the one feeling the anger (e.g., 'Me enfado con la música alta' - I get angry with loud music).
Incorrect Object Pronoun: When using 'enfadar' transitively, learners sometimes use the wrong object pronoun. The direct object pronouns for people are 'me', 'te', 'lo/la', 'nos', 'os', 'los/las'. For example, instead of 'Me enfada' (It angers me), they might incorrectly say 'Yo enfado' or use an indirect pronoun. Ensure the pronoun correctly reflects who is being angered.
Overuse of 'enfadar' for mild annoyance: While 'enfadar' can mean to annoy, sometimes learners use it for very mild feelings of irritation where a softer word might be more appropriate. For slight annoyance, consider words like 'molestar' (to bother/annoy) or 'irritar' (to irritate).
Ignoring Verb Conjugation: Like any verb, 'enfadar' must be conjugated correctly according to the subject and tense. Forgetting to conjugate it or using the wrong form is a common mistake. For example, saying 'Yo enfadar' instead of 'Yo me enfado' (reflexive) or 'El ruido me enfadar' instead of 'El ruido me enfada' (transitive).
Using 'enfadar' for inanimate objects: While an inanimate object can *cause* anger, it cannot *be angered*. You cannot say 'El coche se enfada' (The car gets angry). The subject of 'enfadarse' must be a person or sentient being. You can say 'El coche averiado me enfada' (The broken-down car angers me).

Incorrecto: El perro me enfadar. Correcto: El perro me enfada.

Molestar: Meaning: To bother, to annoy, to disturb.
Comparison: 'Molestar' is generally milder than 'enfadar'. It describes a level of annoyance or inconvenience rather than outright anger. You can 'molestar' someone without making them truly angry.
Example: 'El ruido constante me molesta' (The constant noise bothers me) vs. 'El ruido constante me enfada' (The constant noise angers me).
Irritar: Meaning: To irritate, to provoke.
Comparison: 'Irritar' is very close in meaning to 'enfadar' and can sometimes be used interchangeably. It often implies a more physical or psychological feeling of being provoked or agitated, leading to annoyance or anger.
Example: 'Su actitud me irrita' (His attitude irritates me) is very similar to 'Su actitud me enfada'.
Enojarse: Meaning: To get angry, to become angry.
Comparison: 'Enojarse' is a direct synonym for the reflexive 'enfadarse'. Both mean 'to get angry'. The choice between them can depend on regional preference, with 'enojarse' being more common in some Latin American countries.
Example: 'Me enojo fácilmente' (I get angry easily) is interchangeable with 'Me enfado fácilmente'.
Cabrearse (Informal): Meaning: To get very angry, to be furious (informal).
Comparison: This is a more colloquial and stronger term than 'enfadarse'. It implies a higher level of anger, often with a sense of being fed up or exasperated. Use this in informal settings.
Example: 'Me cabreé cuando vi el desastre' (I got furious when I saw the mess).
Fastidiar: Meaning: To annoy, to pester, to exasperate.
Comparison: Similar to 'molestar', but can sometimes imply a more persistent or irritating form of annoyance. It can also mean to spoil or ruin something.
Example: 'Deja de fastidiarme con esa pregunta' (Stop annoying me with that question).

El tráfico molesta, pero la impuntualidad me enfada.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Las acciones del gobierno consiguieron enfadar a una parte significativa de la ciudadanía."

Neutral

"El ruido constante de la obra me enfada."

Informal

"¡Me cabrea que no me escuches!"

Child friendly

"El osito se enfadó porque le quitaron su juguete."

Slang

"Me pone de mala hostia que llegues tarde."

Fun Fact

The connection to 'infant' might imply that early forms of anger were seen as immature or basic emotional responses, much like those of a baby. This etymology highlights how core emotions have long-standing linguistic roots.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɛnˈfaðar/

US /ɛnˈfɑðɑr/

The stress falls on the second syllable: en-FA-dar.

Rhymes With

andar cantar hablar mirar trabajar jugar nadar amar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' as a hard 'd' like in 'dog' instead of the softer 'th' sound.
Not stressing the second syllable ('FA').
Incorrect vowel sounds, especially in the unstressed syllables.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Enfadar is a common verb, but understanding the transitive vs. reflexive usage and common collocations requires practice. Texts at this level often use it to describe character emotions or plot developments.

Writing 3/5

Correctly conjugating 'enfadar' and 'enfadarse' and using them in appropriate contexts (transitive vs. reflexive) is key. Avoiding overuse for mild annoyance is also important.

Speaking 3/5

Using 'enfadar' and 'enfadarse' naturally in conversation requires familiarity with its common uses and reflexive forms. Responding appropriately to situations where someone might be enfadado is also important.

Listening 3/5

Recognizing 'enfadar' and 'enfadarse' in spoken Spanish is crucial for understanding emotional tone and plot points in dialogues or narratives.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

enojar molestar sentir persona voz

Learn Next

enfurecer indignar exasperar rabia ira

Advanced

provocar disgustar ofender resentimiento frustración

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Verbs

Just like 'enfadarse', many verbs in Spanish are reflexive (e.g., 'levantarse' - to get up, 'peinarse' - to comb one's hair). They require a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that agrees with the subject.

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs

'Enfadar' is transitive when it means 'to anger someone' (requires a direct object). 'Enfadarse' is intransitive and reflexive, meaning 'to get angry' (the subject is the one experiencing the anger).

Preterite vs. Imperfect Tenses

The preterite ('se enfadó') describes a completed action of getting angry at a specific point. The imperfect ('se enfadaba') describes a habitual or ongoing state of being angry in the past.

Subjunctive Mood

Used after expressions of emotion, doubt, or desire: 'Espero que no te enfades.' (I hope you don't get angry.)

Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns

When using 'enfadar' transitively, the object pronoun (me, te, lo, la, etc.) indicates who is being angered. 'El ruido me enfada.' ('me' is the direct object pronoun).

Examples by Level

El niño se enfada.

The child gets angry.

Simple present tense, reflexive verb.

No me enfades.

Don't anger me.

Negative imperative, transitive verb.

Ella se enfada rápido.

She gets angry quickly.

Adverb 'rápido' modifying the verb.

Eso me enfada.

That angers me.

Demonstrative pronoun 'eso' as subject.

¿Te enfadas por esto?

Do you get angry about this?

Question formation with 'te'.

El perro se enfadó.

The dog got angry.

Preterite tense, reflexive verb.

No te enfades, por favor.

Don't get angry, please.

Negative imperative with 'te'.

Su voz me enfada.

His/Her voice angers me.

Possessive adjective 'su'.

El retraso del tren me enfada mucho.

The train delay angers me a lot.

Using 'mucho' to intensify the anger.

No quiero enfadar a mi jefe.

I don't want to anger my boss.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

A veces me enfado por cosas pequeñas.

Sometimes I get angry over small things.

Adverb of frequency 'a veces'.

La gente se enfada cuando no hay respeto.

People get angry when there is no respect.

Impersonal 'la gente' and subordinate clause.

Ella se enfadó porque olvidé su cumpleaños.

She got angry because I forgot her birthday.

Preterite tense, causal clause with 'porque'.

El ruido de la calle me enfada cuando duermo.

The street noise angers me when I sleep.

Temporal clause with 'cuando'.

¿Por qué te enfadas tan fácilmente?

Why do you get angry so easily?

Question word 'por qué'.

Intenté no enfadarme, pero fue difícil.

I tried not to get angry, but it was difficult.

Infinitive after 'intentar'.

Sus comentarios sarcásticos siempre logran enfadarme.

His sarcastic comments always manage to anger me.

Gerund used after 'logran'.

No te enfades si te digo la verdad.

Don't get angry if I tell you the truth.

Subjunctive mood in the negative imperative.

Me enfado cuando veo injusticias en el mundo.

I get angry when I see injustices in the world.

Present indicative after 'cuando'.

La burocracia excesiva puede enfadar a cualquiera.

Excessive bureaucracy can anger anyone.

Modal verb 'puede' + infinitive.

Se enfadaron porque no les avisamos a tiempo.

They got angry because we didn't warn them on time.

Plural preterite of 'enfadarse'.

Intentaré mantener la calma para no enfadarme.

I will try to stay calm so as not to get angry.

Future tense and 'para' + infinitive.

El constante incumplimiento de promesas le enfada.

The constant breaking of promises angers him/her.

Noun phrase as subject.

Prefiero evitar situaciones que me enfaden.

I prefer to avoid situations that anger me.

Relative pronoun 'que'.

Sus constantes interrupciones durante la reunión me enfadaron profundamente.

His constant interruptions during the meeting angered me deeply.

Adverb 'profundamente' modifying the verb.

No te enfades si la crítica es constructiva.

Don't get angry if the criticism is constructive.

Conditional clause with 'si'.

Me enfado ante la falta de empatía de algunas personas.

I get angry at the lack of empathy from some people.

Prepositional phrase 'ante la falta de'.

Es natural que los ciudadanos se enfaden ante la corrupción.

It is natural for citizens to get angry in the face of corruption.

Impersonal 'es natural que' + subjunctive.

Se enfadaron muchísimo cuando descubrieron el engaño.

They got very angry when they discovered the deception.

'Muchísimo' as an intensifier.

Trataré de procesar esta información sin dejar que me enfade.

I will try to process this information without letting it anger me.

'Sin' + infinitive.

La ineficiencia del sistema administrativo tiende a enfadar a los usuarios.

The inefficiency of the administrative system tends to anger users.

'Tender a' + infinitive.

A pesar de sus esfuerzos, la situación logró enfadar a la opinión pública.

Despite their efforts, the situation managed to anger public opinion.

'A pesar de' + noun phrase.

La retórica inflamatoria del político consiguió enfadar a una parte considerable de la población.

The politician's inflammatory rhetoric managed to anger a considerable portion of the population.

'Consiguió' + infinitive, complex noun phrase.

Es imperativo que no te enfades por nimiedades, ya que resta energía.

It is imperative that you don't get angry over trifles, as it drains energy.

'Es imperativo que' + subjunctive, causal clause.

Me enfado ante la premeditada indiferencia hacia los problemas sociales.

I get angry at the premeditated indifference towards social problems.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

Las políticas restrictivas a menudo provocan que los ciudadanos se enfaden y protesten.

Restrictive policies often cause citizens to get angry and protest.

'Provocar que' + subjunctive.

Se enfurecieron hasta tal punto que amenazaron con acciones legales.

They became furious to such an extent that they threatened legal action.

'Enfurecieron' used as a stronger alternative, 'hasta tal punto que' construction.

Debemos discernir entre la crítica legítima y aquello que solo busca enfadarnos.

We must discern between legitimate criticism and that which only seeks to anger us.

Subjunctive after 'aquello que'.

La manipulación mediática tiene el potencial de enfadar y polarizar a la sociedad.

Media manipulation has the potential to anger and polarize society.

'Tener el potencial de' + infinitive.

A pesar de las advertencias, su comportamiento continuó por un camino que sabíamos que nos enfadaría.

Despite the warnings, his behavior continued on a path we knew would anger us.

Complex sentence structure with relative clauses.

La escalada de tensiones diplomáticas amenazaba con enfadar a la comunidad internacional.

The escalation of diplomatic tensions threatened to anger the international community.

'Amenazaba con' + infinitive, abstract noun phrases.

Es crucial que el liderazgo evite las declaraciones que puedan enfadar innecesariamente a los votantes.

It is crucial that leadership avoids declarations that may unnecessarily anger voters.

'Es crucial que' + subjunctive, adverb 'innecesariamente'.

La persistente negación de los hechos fundamentales tiende a enfadar a aquellos que buscan la verdad.

The persistent denial of fundamental facts tends to anger those who seek the truth.

Complex subject noun phrase, relative clause.

Las medidas de austeridad, aunque necesarias para algunos, provocan un profundo descontento y pueden enfadar a amplios sectores de la población.

Austerity measures, although necessary for some, provoke deep discontent and can anger broad sectors of the population.

'Aunque' clause, 'provocar' + noun, 'enfadar' + noun.

El escándalo estalló cuando se reveló la magnitud del fraude, lo que logró enfadar a los accionistas hasta un punto de ruptura.

The scandal erupted when the magnitude of the fraud was revealed, which managed to anger shareholders to a breaking point.

'Lo que' relative clause, 'hasta un punto de ruptura' idiom.

La estrategia de desinformación busca deliberadamente enfadar y desestabilizar, sembrando discordia.

The disinformation strategy deliberately seeks to anger and destabilize, sowing discord.

Gerund phrase modifying the main clause.

Su reticencia a admitir errores, lejos de apaciguar, solo consigue enfadar más a sus críticos.

His reluctance to admit mistakes, far from appeasing, only manages to further anger his critics.

'Lejos de' + infinitive, comparative adverb 'más'.

En un clima de polarización extrema, es fácil que las palabras, incluso las bien intencionadas, terminen por enfadar a alguien.

In a climate of extreme polarization, it is easy for words, even well-intentioned ones, to end up angering someone.

'Terminar por' + infinitive, participial phrase.

Common Collocations

enfadar a alguien

enfadarse con alguien

enfadarse por algo

enfadarse mucho

enfadarse fácilmente

enfadarse de repente

enfadarse por nada

enfadarse y luego arrepentirse

enfadarse por una tontería

la causa de que alguien se enfade

Common Phrases

¡No te enfades!

— Don't get angry!

¡No te enfades! Solo era una broma.

Me enfado.

— I get angry. / It angers me.

Me enfado cuando mienten.

Se enfadó.

— He/She/It got angry. / It angered him/her.

Se enfadó porque no le escuché.

¿Por qué te enfadas?

— Why are you getting angry?

¿Por qué te enfadas si no he hecho nada malo?

Eso me enfada.

— That angers me.

El maltrato animal me enfada mucho.

No me enfades.

— Don't anger me.

Por favor, no me enfades más.

Se enfadaron mucho.

— They got very angry.

Se enfadaron mucho con la decisión del comité.

Me enfado con facilidad.

— I get angry easily.

Me enfado con facilidad, así que ten paciencia.

No te enfades conmigo.

— Don't be angry with me.

No te enfades conmigo, lo siento.

Me pone de malas / Me enfada.

— It makes me mad. (Literally: It puts me in a bad mood / It angers me.)

El tráfico de la mañana me pone de malas.

Often Confused With

enfadar vs enojar

'Enojar' is a very close synonym, especially its reflexive form 'enojarse' which is interchangeable with 'enfadarse' in many contexts. The choice can depend on regional preference.

enfadar vs molestar

'Molestar' is a milder term for annoyance or bothering, whereas 'enfadar' implies a stronger feeling of anger or displeasure.

enfadar vs irritar

'Irritar' is very similar to 'enfadar' and often used interchangeably, implying a strong sense of provocation or agitation.

Idioms & Expressions

"Sacar de quicio"

— To drive someone crazy, to exasperate them to the point of anger.

Sus constantes quejas me sacan de quicio.

Informal

"Estar que trina"

— To be furious, to be spitting mad. Implies a high level of anger.

Después de la discusión, estaba que trina.

Informal

"Perder los estribos"

— To lose one's temper, to lose control of one's anger.

No pierdas los estribos, cálmate.

Neutral

"Echar humo por las orejas"

— To be extremely angry, to be furious (literally 'to breathe smoke from the ears').

Cuando le conté lo que pasó, echaba humo por las orejas.

Informal

"Ponerse hecho una furia"

— To become furious, to be enraged.

Al enterarse del robo, se puso hecha una furia.

Neutral

"Tener mala leche"

— To have bad intentions, to be in a bad mood, to be easily angered.

Hoy tiene mala leche, mejor no le hables.

Informal

"Arder de rabia"

— To burn with rage, to be extremely angry.

Ardía de rabia al ver la injusticia.

Neutral

"Morir de rabia"

— To die of anger (used hyperbolically).

Me muero de rabia de solo pensarlo.

Informal

"Ponerse negro"

— To become very angry (literally 'to turn black').

Se puso negro cuando le dijeron eso.

Informal

"Ponerse rojo de ira"

— To turn red with anger.

Su cara se puso roja de ira.

Neutral

Easily Confused

enfadar vs enfadar

The main confusion arises between using 'enfadar' transitively (to anger someone) and 'enfadarse' reflexively (to get angry).

When you 'enfadas' someone, you are the cause of their anger. When you 'te enfadas', you are the one experiencing the anger. For example, 'El ruido me enfada' (The noise angers me) vs. 'Me enfado por el ruido' (I get angry because of the noise).

El perro me enfada. (The dog angers me - the dog is the cause). Yo me enfado con el perro. (I get angry with the dog - I am the one feeling angry).

enfadar vs enfadado/a (adjective)

Learners might confuse the verb form with the adjective form.

'Enfadar' is the verb (to anger). 'Enfadado/a' is the adjective meaning 'angry', describing the state of a person. For instance, 'Él está enfadado' (He is angry).

El hombre que está enfadado es mi vecino. (The man who is angry is my neighbor.)

enfadar vs enfado (noun)

Confusion between the verb and its noun form.

'Enfado' is the noun meaning 'anger' or 'annoyance'. It refers to the feeling itself, not the action of causing it or the state of being angry. For example, 'Siento un gran enfado.' (I feel great anger.)

Su enfado era evidente. (His anger was evident.)

enfadar vs enojar

This is a direct synonym, making it easy to confuse which one to use or when one is preferred.

'Enfadar' and 'enojar' are largely interchangeable, especially in their reflexive forms ('enfadarse'/'enojarse'). 'Enojarse' might be slightly more common in some Latin American regions, while 'enfadarse' is widely used in Spain. Both mean 'to get angry'.

Me enojo fácilmente. / Me enfado fácilmente. (I get angry easily.)

enfadar vs molestar

Both words indicate negative feelings caused by something or someone.

'Molestar' is milder, meaning 'to bother' or 'to annoy'. 'Enfadar' implies a stronger emotion, closer to anger. You can be 'molesto' without being 'enfadado', but if you are 'enfadado', you are likely also 'molesto'.

El ruido me molesta un poco. (The noise bothers me a little.) El ruido me enfada mucho. (The noise angers me a lot.)

Sentence Patterns

Subject + enfadarse (conjugated)

El niño se enfada.

Negative Imperative + enfadarse (reflexive)

No te enfades.

Subject + enfadar (conjugated) + Object Pronoun

El ruido me enfada.

Subject + enfadarse + por + Noun

Me enfado por el ruido.

Subject + enfadarse + cuando + Clause

Me enfado cuando llegas tarde.

Subject + enfadar + Object + porque + Clause

Me enfada porque no me escuchas.

Subject + enfadarse + ante + Noun Phrase

Se enfada ante la injusticia.

Expression + que + Subject + enfadarse (subjunctive)

Es importante que no te enfades.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very High

Common Mistakes

Using 'enfadar' when 'enfadarse' is needed. → Using 'enfadarse' (reflexive) when the subject is getting angry.
Learners often forget the reflexive pronoun 'se' or use the transitive form incorrectly. For example, saying 'Yo enfadar' instead of 'Yo me enfado' or 'Él enfadar' instead of 'Él se enfada'.
Incorrect object pronoun with 'enfadar'. → Using the correct direct object pronoun (me, te, lo/la, nos, os, los/las).
When 'enfadar' is transitive (to anger someone), the pronoun must agree with the person being angered. For example, 'El informe me enfada' (The report angers me), not 'El informe yo enfada'.
Using 'enfadar' for mild annoyance. → Using 'molestar' or 'irritar' for milder feelings.
'Enfadar' implies a stronger emotion than simply being bothered. Using it for minor irritations can sound overly dramatic. 'Me molesta el ruido' is better for slight annoyance than 'Me enfada el ruido'.
Confusing the verb with the noun or adjective. → Using 'enfadar' (verb), 'enfadado/a' (adjective), and 'enfado' (noun) correctly.
It's important to distinguish between the action ('enfadar'), the state ('estar enfadado/a'), and the feeling itself ('tener un enfado').
Not conjugating the verb correctly. → Ensuring the verb 'enfadar' or 'enfadarse' agrees with the subject in tense, mood, and person.
Forgetting conjugations like 'me enfado', 'te enfadaste', 'se enfadará' is a common error that hinders fluency.

Tips

Transitive vs. Reflexive

Remember the key difference: 'enfadar' (transitive) needs an object (someone being angered), while 'enfadarse' (reflexive) means the subject is the one getting angry. This distinction is crucial for correct usage.

The 'd' Sound

In Spanish, the 'd' in 'enfadar' is often soft, like the 'th' in 'this' or a flap sound, not a hard 'd'. Practice this sound to improve your pronunciation.

Visual Association

Create a vivid mental image. Imagine a red-faced person yelling '¡Enfádate!' to someone else, or visualize yourself getting very 'en-FAN-dado' like an angry fan.

Don't Overuse

While 'enfadar' is common, avoid using it for very mild annoyances where 'molestar' might be more appropriate. This will make your Spanish sound more natural.

Expressing Emotions

In Spanish-speaking cultures, direct expression of emotions like anger is common. 'Enfadar' and 'enfadarse' are everyday tools for this.

Sentence Building

Write your own sentences using 'enfadar' and 'enfadarse' in different tenses and with various subjects and objects. This active practice is essential for mastery.

Explore Alternatives

Learn synonyms like 'enojar', 'irritar', and 'cabrear' (informal) to expand your vocabulary and choose the most fitting word for the situation.

Opposite Actions

Think about the opposites of causing anger: 'calmar' (to calm), 'complacer' (to please), 'satisfacer' (to satisfy). This helps reinforce the meaning of 'enfadar'.

Listen Actively

When watching Spanish shows or listening to podcasts, pay attention to how 'enfadar' and 'enfadarse' are used. Note the context and the speaker's tone.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine an ANGRY FAN. When a fan is angry, they might yell or cause a scene. So, 'en-FAN-dar' sounds like an angry fan, which helps remember that it means to anger someone.

Visual Association

Picture a person with steam coming out of their ears, looking very angry. The steam could be shaped like the letters 'en-fa-dar' to link the visual to the word.

Word Web

Anger Annoyance Frustration Irritation Getting mad Provoking Displeasure Exasperation

Challenge

Try to use 'enfadar' and 'enfadarse' in three different sentences today, describing situations where someone might get angry or cause anger. Make sure to conjugate the verb correctly.

Word Origin

The Spanish verb 'enfadar' originates from the Vulgar Latin verb '*infantiare*', meaning 'to become angry'. This word itself likely derived from the Latin 'infans' (infant), possibly suggesting a childlike or immature display of anger.

Original meaning: To become angry.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > Spanish

Cultural Context

While 'enfadar' is a common verb, using it to describe someone's anger should be done with awareness. Accusing someone of getting angry without cause might itself cause them to enfadarse. It's generally used to describe the act of causing anger or the state of being angry.

In English, we have many words for anger, like 'anger', 'mad', 'furious', 'irritated', 'annoyed'. 'Enfadar' covers a range from mild annoyance to significant anger, similar to 'to anger' or 'to annoy' in English.

In Don Quixote, characters often get enfadado due to misunderstandings or perceived slights, reflecting the social dynamics of the time. Many Spanish proverbs touch upon anger, e.g., 'La ira es un ácido que puede dañar más el recipiente en que se guarda que cualquier vasija en que se vierte.' (Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to any vessel on which it is poured.) This highlights the negative consequences of becoming enfadado. In contemporary Spanish cinema and literature, characters frequently 'se enfadan' as a result of personal conflicts, social issues, or political events, driving plot and character development.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Interpersonal conflicts and disagreements.

No te enfades conmigo.
Me enfado por tu culpa.
¿Por qué te enfadas tanto?

Reactions to frustrating situations (traffic, queues, bureaucracy).

El tráfico me enfada.
Me enfado con la espera.
Esto es muy enfadante.

Expressing personal feelings of annoyance.

Me enfado fácilmente.
Me enfada la falta de respeto.
Hoy me siento enfadado.

Describing the cause of someone else's anger.

Sus palabras me enfadaron.
Lo que hizo le enfadó.
No quise enfadarte.

Giving advice or warnings about anger.

No te enfades por eso.
Intenta no enfadarte.
Eso te puede enfadar.

Conversation Starters

"What situations tend to make you enfadar?"

"Can you recall a time someone's actions really enfadaron you?"

"How do you usually react when you start to enfadarse?"

"Is there anything that you find particularly enfadante in daily life?"

"What's the difference between 'molestar' and 'enfadar' in your opinion?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a situation where you got enfadado and why. How did you handle it?

Think about someone you know who gets enfadado easily. What triggers their anger?

Write a short dialogue between two people where one is trying not to enfadar the other.

Reflect on a time you acted in a way that enfadado someone else. What did you learn from it?

Imagine a character who is always enfadado. What might be the reasons behind their constant anger?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Enfadar' is a transitive verb, meaning 'to anger someone'. It requires a direct object (the person being angered). For example, 'Tus palabras me enfadan' (Your words anger me). 'Enfadarse' is a reflexive verb, meaning 'to get angry'. The subject is the one feeling the anger. For example, 'Me enfado por tu culpa' (I get angry because of you).

Not necessarily. 'Enfadar' can range from mild annoyance to intense anger, depending on the context and the intensity of the situation. It's a versatile verb that covers a spectrum of negative emotional responses.

No, you cannot 'enfadar' an inanimate object. Inanimate objects can *cause* anger, but they cannot *feel* anger. You would say 'El coche averiado me enfada' (The broken-down car angers me), not 'El coche averiado se enfada'.

Common triggers include perceived injustice, disrespect, broken promises, constant interruptions, loud noises, delays, and lack of consideration from others.

You would typically use the reflexive form 'enfadarse' and the adjective 'enfadado/a'. So, 'Yo estoy enfadado' (if you are male) or 'Yo estoy enfadada' (if you are female) means 'I am angry'. You can also use the verb directly: 'Me enfado' (I get angry).

Yes, 'enfadar' can mean 'to annoy', especially when the anger is mild. However, it can also mean 'to anger', implying a stronger emotion. 'Molestar' is a closer direct translation for 'to annoy' in its milder sense.

The preterite tense is used for completed actions. For example, 'Me enfadé' (I got angry), 'Te enfadaste' (You got angry), 'Se enfadó' (He/She/It got angry). The imperfect tense, 'me enfadaba', describes a state or habitual action in the past.

Yes, informal options include 'cabrearse', 'ponerse negro', or 'tener mala leche'. These are used in casual conversation and express a higher level of anger or frustration.

You can invert the subject and verb or use question words. For example, '¿Te enfadas por eso?' (Do you get angry about that?) or '¿Por qué te enfadas?' (Why do you get angry?).

Yes, you can use it in a negative imperative to ask someone not to get angry. For example, 'No te enfades, por favor.' (Don't get angry, please.)