Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| genial | /xeˈnjal/ | |
| muy bueno | /mui bweno/ (from spelling rules) | |
| buenísimo | /bweˈnisimo/ | |
| grosso | /ˈɡɾosso/ | |
| groso | /ˈɡɾoso/ | alternative form |
| macanudo | /makaˈnudo/ |
The words in this list are used to describe things that are very good. While many forms function as adjectives, some can also serve as interjections to mean "great!" or as adverbs to mean "very well". For example, genial can mean "great" (adjective), "great!" (interjection) or "very well" (adverb).
Which one should you use?
The forms vary by nuance and region. muy bueno and buenísimo are ways to say something is very good. grosso and its alternative spelling groso are used specifically to describe someone or something as impressive or great in certain regions. macanudo is used to describe a person or situation as great or pleasant.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
genial is an informal term used to describe something great or fantastic. Similarly, macanudo is an informal adjective.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Rioplatense Spanish (Argentina and Uruguay), groso or grosso is a common colloquialism for someone or something great or impressive. In Spain, chachi is a colloquial and somewhat dated term meaning "great" or "cool". In Latin America, fabuloso is a common way to convey greatness. Some parts of Latin America also use macanudo to describe a person or situation as great or pleasant.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/xeˈnjal/
Did you know?
- While grosso is used in Argentina to mean 'great', it is an Italian loanword meaning 'thick' or 'coarse'.
- The word genial is not derived from the English sense of 'genius' as a person, but from the Latin word for a 'guardian spirit'.
- While groso means 'great' or 'impressive' in Argentina, in other Spanish-speaking regions it can still mean 'thick' or 'coarse'.
Examples in context
- Tom la pasó genial.Tom had a great time.This sentence shows how to use genial to describe having a great time.Tatoeba #1287527 by marcelostockle, translation #1025612 by CK
- Este tío es genial.This guy is great.This sentence uses genial to describe a person as great.Tatoeba #1619730 by Shishir, translation #1616964 by Spamster
- Es un libro genial.This is a great book.This sentence uses genial to describe a great book.Tatoeba #2104015 by Shishir, translation #1616980 by Spamster
- Tu presentación fue excelente.Your presentation was great.
- ¡Qué película tan magnífica!What a great movie!
- Hiciste un trabajo maravilloso.You did a great job.
- Vamos al cine esta noche. ¡Genial!Let's go to the movies tonight. Great!
- Tu nuevo auto es simplemente fantástico.Your new car is simply fantastic.
- ¡Qué comida tan estupenda!What a great meal!
- ¡Esa actuación fue increíble!That performance was great!
- Hiciste un trabajo fabuloso en la decoración de la fiesta.You did a fabulous job decorating the party.
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about a new movie.
- DanielVi una película ayer y es genial.I saw a movie yesterday and it is great.
- María¡Qué bien! ¿De qué se trata?That's great! What is it about?
- DanielEs una historia de amor muy genial.It is a very great love story.
- MaríaEntonces tengo que verla pronto.Then I have to see it soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “great” translations and entries genial, buenísimo, grosso, groso, macanudo, 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 bueno, buenísimo, genial, grosso, muy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
