Which one should you use?
The form estuvo genial refers to a specific completed event. In contrast, estaba genial would be used to describe a continuous state or background setting in the past.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Depending on where you are, different words are used to mean 'it was cool': * In Chile and several other South American countries like Colombia, people say estuvo bacán. * In Mexico, you will hear estuvo chido or estuvo padrísimo (meaning 'it was super cool'). * In Spain, estuvo guay or estuvo muy guay is popular. * In the Rioplatense dialect (Argentina and Uruguay), people use estuvo copado. * In Caribbean Spanish-speaking countries like the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, people use estuvo chévere or estuvo cool.
Did you know?
- In Mexico, padrísimo is the superlative of padre, which literally means 'father'. While padre usually refers to a parent, in this slang context it means 'cool'.
- The Caribbean term chévere is believed by some linguists to have originated from the English word 'shivery' or the Yoruba word shébé, reflecting the region's diverse colonial and migration history.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, copado comes from the word copar, which can mean 'to take over' or 'to occupy', suggesting the experience 'captured' the person's attention.
Examples in context
- La película estuvo bacán, me encantó.The movie was cool, I loved it.
- La fiesta estuvo chida, nos divertimos mucho.The party was cool, we had a lot of fun.
- El concierto estuvo guay, no podía dejar de bailar.The concert was cool, I couldn't stop dancing.
- La fiesta estuvo genial.The party was cool.
- El concierto estuvo genial.The concert was cool.
- Tu viaje estuvo genial.Your trip was cool.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are talking about a movie they saw.
- María¿Qué te pareció la película?What did you think of the movie?
- DanielEstuvo genial, me encantó.It was cool, I loved it.
- MaríaA mí también me pareció muy buena.I also thought it was very good.
- DanielSí, definitivamente valió la pena.Yes, it was definitely worth it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
