contratiempo
nounCEFR B1
What does “contratiempo” mean in English?
setback / mishap
setback / mishap (unexpected problem that disrupts plans; stronger than inconveniente, milder than catástrofe)
Example sentences
El viaje fue un continuo contratiempo: primero el retraso, luego la maleta perdida, y finalmente el hotel que había dado nuestra habitación a otros huéspedes porque nos retrasamos demasiado en llegar.
The trip was one continuous setback: first the delay, then the lost luggage, and finally the hotel which had given our room to other guests because we were too late arriving.
A pesar de todos los contratiempos que tuvimos durante el vuelo, llegamos a tiempo a la reunión gracias a que habíamos reservado con un margen de dos horas por si acaso.
Despite all the setbacks we had during the flight, we arrived on time for the meeting thanks to having booked with a two-hour buffer just in case.
How to use it
Contratiempo is a masculine noun meaning 'setback', 'mishap', or 'inconvenience'. It denotes an unexpected problem that disrupts plans — stronger than inconveniente (minor inconvenience) but milder than catástrofe. In travel contexts it is the natural word for the accumulation of problems that derail a trip. The plural contratiempos is used for a series of setbacks. Common verbs: sufrir un contratiempo, tener un contratiempo, surgir un contratiempo (a setback arose).
Common mistake
Learners may reach for problema (problem), which is perfectly acceptable, but contratiempo adds the nuance of unexpectedness and disruption to a plan — it implies things went against the timing (contra-tiempo). Using contratiempo in travel narration sounds more natural and B1-sophisticated.