Usage Note
Tristeza is the everyday noun for sadness or sorrow, and collocates naturally with verbs like sentir (sentir tristeza) and causar (causó tristeza). It differs from pena (which also means penalty/pity) and melancolía (which implies a deeper, more literary melancholy). The adjective is triste (sad).
Examples
"La noticia le llenó de tristeza."
Natural Translation
The news filled him with sadness.
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