Spanish is a rich and diverse language spoken by millions of people worldwide. Whether you’re traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, enjoying a delicious meal, or simply want to impress your Spanish-speaking friends, knowing how to express your appreciation for a tasty dish is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore various ways to say “it was delicious” in Spanish, including both formal and informal expressions.
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Formal Expressions
When dining in upscale restaurants, attending formal events, or showing respect to someone older or in a higher position, it’s important to use formal language. Here are a few ways to say “it was delicious” formally:
1. Estuvo delicioso/a
Estuvo (masculine) or estuvo (feminine) delicioso/a.
This expression translates directly to “it was delicious.” Use the appropriate gender agreement based on the noun being described. For example:
La comida estuvo deliciosa. (The food was delicious.)
El postre estuvo delicioso. (The dessert was delicious.)
2. Fue exquisito/a
Fue (masculine) or fue (feminine) exquisito/a.
Similar to the previous expression, “fue exquisito/a” means “it was exquisite.” Remember to match the gender of the noun referred to, as shown in these examples:
El vino fue exquisito. (The wine was exquisite.)
La cena fue exquisita. (The dinner was exquisite.)
Informal Expressions
When in casual settings, among friends, or with family, it’s common to use more relaxed language. Here are a few informal ways to express deliciousness:
1. Estaba riquísimo/a
Estaba (masculine) or estaba (feminine) riquísimo/a.
This expression means “it was extremely delicious.” The word “riquísimo/a” emphasizes the high level of tastiness. Consider the following examples:
El helado estaba riquísimo. (The ice cream was extremely delicious.)
La pizza estaba riquísima. (The pizza was extremely delicious.)
2. Estuvo buenísimo/a
Estuvo (masculine) or estuvo (feminine) buenísimo/a.
Use this expression to convey that the food was “really great” or “amazingly good.” Here are a couple of examples:
El pollo estuvo buenísimo. (The chicken was really great.)
La sopa estuvo buenísima. (The soup was really great.)
Additional Tips
Now that you know some ways to say “it was delicious” in Spanish, let’s go over a few additional tips to help you use these expressions naturally:
1. Non-specific adjective agreement
If you don’t know the gender of the noun you’re describing, you can use the non-specific forms “rico” and “delicioso” for masculine nouns, and “rica” and “deliciosa” for feminine nouns. For example:
La comida estuvo muy rica. (The food was very delicious.)
Las tapas estuvieron deliciosas. (The tapas were delicious.)
2. Combine expressions
Feel free to mix and match the expressions provided to add variety to your vocabulary. For example:
El postre fue exquisito, estaba riquísimo. (The dessert was exquisite, it was extremely delicious.)
La comida estuvo deliciosa, estuvo buenísima. (The food was delicious, it was really great.)
3. Use body language and enthusiasm
In addition to verbal expressions, use positive body language, such as smiling, nodding, and making sounds of satisfaction, to convey your appreciation for a delicious meal. Adding enthusiasm to your delivery can make your compliment even more heartfelt and genuine.
4. Learn region-specific vocabulary
Spanish varies across different regions, so it’s essential to learn specific vocabulary and expressions if you’re traveling to a particular Spanish-speaking country. For example, in Mexico, you might say “estuvo sabroso” to mean “it was tasty” instead of “it was delicious.”
Remember, the key to mastering these expressions is practice. Try using them in various contexts, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Native Spanish speakers will appreciate your effort to communicate in their language, and your compliments on their cuisine will surely bring smiles to their faces. ¡Buen provecho!
