Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| ótimo | /ˈɔ.t͡ʃi.mu/ (Brazil) /ˈɔ.ti.mu/ (Portugal) |
| fantástico | /fɐ̃ˈtas.t͡ʃi.ku/ (Brazil) /fɐ̃ˈtaʃ.t͡ʃi.ku/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
When you want to describe something as being very good, you use ótimo or fantástico. If you are expressing excitement or reacting to something good with the interjection 'great!', you can use ótimo or magnífico.
Which one should you use?
While ótimo means 'very good', do not confuse it with grande. Use grande when you are referring to physical size or the level of importance of something. For the sense of 'great' meaning 'very good', use ótimo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the word formidável can be used as a synonym for 'great'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use ótimo for masculine singular nouns, ótima for feminine singular nouns, ótimos for masculine plural nouns and ótimas for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- While ótimo and fantástico are common, Brazilians often use legal to say 'great' or 'cool' in casual settings.
- To say 'great' as an exclamation, Brazilians may use show or show de bola, borrowing from the English word 'show'.
- The word ótimo comes from the Latin optimus, which is the same root used for the English word 'optimum'.
Examples in context
- É um ótimo dia.It's a great day.This sentence shows how to use ótimo to describe a day.Tatoeba #6473912 by heo598, translation #3729551 by CM
- Isso não é ótimo?Isn't that great?This sentence uses ótimo in a rhetorical question to ask if something is great.Tatoeba #5031192 by Ricardo14, translation #2248684 by CK
- O café está ótimo.The coffee is great.This sentence uses ótimo to describe the quality of coffee.Tatoeba #2184446 by alexmarcelo, translation #5874290 by mailohilohi
- Este lugar é magnífico!This place is magnificent!
- 149 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Lucas are discussing a recent trip.
- MarianaComo foi a viagem, Lucas?How was the trip, Lucas?
- LucasFoi ótimo, Mariana!It was great, Mariana!
- MarianaQue bom que você gostou.I am glad you liked it.
- LucasRealmente foi um momento ótimo.It truly was a great moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “great” translations and entries ótimo, fantástico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fantástico, ótimo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
