grande
/ˈɡɾande/
In Spanish, 'grand' is translated as grande.
The word is used to describe something that is great in size, and fine or imposing in appearance or impression.
Meaning: great in size, and fine or imposing in appearance or impression (adj)
Which one should you use?
While grande emphasizes physical size, the shortened form gran is often used to emphasize quality, importance or greatness (e.g., 'un gran hombre' vs 'un hombre grande').
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Estupendo is commonly used to express 'grand' or 'marvelous' and the term guay is used to mean 'cool' or 'awesome'. In Central America and the Caribbean, the informal term Chévere is popular to mean 'cool' or 'great'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word grande shortens to gran when placed immediately before a singular noun. The plural form is grandes, and it does not undergo apocope before nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡɾande/
Did you know?
- The word grande is a cognate of the Ladino word grande, a language spoken by Sephardic Jews after their expulsion from Spain.
- The word grande is also used in the phrase estoy grande, which can mean 'I am grown up' or 'I am old', depending on the age of the speaker.
Examples in context
- Bu Xiangzhi es uno de los Grandes Maestros chinos más talentosos.Bu Xiangzhi is one of the most talented Chinese Grand Masters.This sentence shows the use of grande in the context of professional titles.Tatoeba #9990670 by carlosalberto, translation #9961070 by carlosalberto
- La defensa Caro-Kann (1. e4 c6) es una apertura utilizada por los principales Grandes Maestros de todo el mundo.The Caro-Kann defense (1. e4 c6) is an opening used by major Grand Masters around the world.This sentence demonstrates how Grandes Maestros is used in the context of chess.Tatoeba #10283158 by carlosalberto, translation #10283108 by carlosalberto
- Incluso los ajedrecistas más talentosos tienen que estudiar con extrema dedicación y hacer grandes sacrificios para convertirse en Grandes Maestros o ganar títulos internacionales. Muy pocos tienen la gloria de ser campeones del mundo.Even the most talented chess players have to study with extreme dedication and make heavy sacrifices to become Grand Masters or to win international titles. Very few have the glory of being world champions.This sentence illustrates how grandes and Grandes Maestros are used to describe sacrifices and professional titles.Tatoeba #9986792 by carlosalberto, translation #9961065 by carlosalberto
- La catedral es magnífica.The cathedral is magnificent.
- Has realizado un trabajo notable.You have done a remarkable job.
- ¡Qué puesta de sol más impresionante!What an impressive sunset!
- El paisaje es estupendo.The landscape is marvelous.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are visiting a city for the first time.
- DanielMira esa catedral, ¡es realmente grande!Look at that cathedral, it is really grand!
- ElenaSí, tiene una arquitectura impresionante.Yes, it has impressive architecture.
- DanielParece un edificio muy antiguo y grande.It looks like a very old and grand building.
- ElenaEntremos para ver el interior, Daniel.Let's go inside to see the interior, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grand” translations and entries grande, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grande, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
