Spanish Conversation · Level 168
15 words
Spanish word
odisea
Pronunciation
IPA/oðiˈsea/
Meaning
- feminine nounordeal
Example
Organizar la boda fue una odisea.
Organizing the wedding was an ordeal.
More examples
Tuvimos que pasar por una odisea para resolver el papeleo.
We had to go through an ordeal to resolve the paperwork.
Core concept
A long, obstacle-filled process.
Common phrases
pasar por una odisea
go through an ordeal
enfrentarse a una odisea
face an ordeal
Similar words
contratiempo: Minor unforeseen event that delays or changes plans.
problema: Practical difficulty or fault that needs fixing.
lío: Chaotic state where things are tangled and difficult to manage.
calvario: Prolonged, agonizing experience that causes sustained suffering.
Definition in Spanish
Palabra que indica un proceso o una situación especialmente engorrosa y llena de imprevistos que causa retrasos y frustración.
Word origin
From Greek Ὀδύσσεια (Odysseia), the name of a protracted voyage that became a metaphor in Spanish for a drawn-out, troublesome process.
Usage tips
- Frequently used colloquially with 'fue' or 'ha sido' to emphasize delays and bureaucracy, and using it for small annoyances can sound exaggerated.