Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gran cosa | /ɡɾan kosa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| grosa cosa | /ɡɾosa kosa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| grossa cosa | /ɡɾossa kosa/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, feminine |
This phrase is used to describe something that is very important. While gran cosa describes the thing itself, you can also use idiomatic expressions like no es para tanto to mean "it's not such a big deal" or "it's not worth making a fuss about". For a more casual sense of magnitude, you might use tremendo or tremenda cosa. If you are referring specifically to an important or grand event in a formal context, you can use gran ocasión.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase uses the feminine noun cosa (thing). The adjective grande is shortened to the apocopated form gran because it is placed directly before the noun.
Which one should you use?
The forms grosa cosa and grossa cosa are variations of the phrase. Grossa cosa is specifically used in Latin America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form grossa cosa is used in Latin America.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase uses the feminine noun cosa, the adjective grande must be shortened to gran when it precedes a singular noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾan kosa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying grande cosa. When the adjective precedes a singular noun, it must be shortened to gran.
When do people say it?
When used as a standalone exclamation or in a dismissive sentence like ¡Gran cosa!, the phrase is often used sarcastically to mean "big deal!" or "so what?"
Did you know?
Examples in context
- No vale gran cosa.It's not a big deal.This sentence shows how to use gran cosa in a negative context to say something isn't worth much.Tatoeba #8271882 by emigonza, translation #453597 by CM
- Tom no cree que eso sea la gran cosa.Tom doesn't think it's such a big deal.This sentence uses gran cosa to express that someone does not consider something to be a big deal.Tatoeba #3969423 by SrTortuga, translation #1094326 by CK
- Esta propuesta es un asunto de mucha importancia para nosotros.This proposal is a big deal for us.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are discussing a promotion at work.
- AlejandroSofía, ¡me ascendieron a gerente!Sofía, I got promoted to manager!
- Sofía¡Qué bien! Eso sí que es una gran cosa.That's great! That really is a big deal.
- AlejandroGracias, pero ahora tengo mucho más trabajo.Thanks, but now I have much more work.
- SofíaEs el precio del éxito, Alejandro.It's the price of success, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “big deal” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cosa, gran, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
