venganza
nounCEFR B2
What does “venganza” mean in English?
revenge, vengeance — the action of hurting someone in return for hurt done to you
revenge, vengeance — the action of hurting someone in return for hurt done to you (tomar/buscar venganza; un acto de venganza)
Example sentences
La venganza pocas veces resuelve los conflictos; más bien tiende a perpetuar ciclos de violencia.
Revenge rarely resolves conflicts; it rather tends to perpetuate cycles of violence.
Se veía en sus ojos la sed de venganza, pero optó por denunciarlo ante la justicia en lugar de actuar.
You could see the thirst for revenge in his eyes, but he chose to report it to the justice system instead of acting.
Algunos analistas interpretan el ataque como un acto de venganza política por la derrota electoral.
Some analysts interpret the attack as an act of political revenge for the electoral defeat.
How to use it
La venganza (noun, feminine) means 'revenge, vengeance' — harm done in retaliation. Core B2 collocations: tomar venganza; un acto de venganza; sed de venganza; venganza personal/política; por venganza. The verb is vengarse (de alguien). Distinguish from represalia (reprisal — often political or military) and castigo (punishment — imposed by an authority).
Common mistake
Vengarse de alguien (to take revenge on someone) requires de, not a. 'Revenge is a dish best served cold' = La venganza es un plato que se sirve frío. Don't confuse venganza (motive) with represalia (retaliatory action) or castigo (official punishment).