Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| magnífico | /maɡˈnifiko/ |
| macanudo | /makaˈnudo/ |
The term is used to describe something that is grand, elegant or splendid in appearance.
Which one should you use?
While magnífico is a standard, high-register word used for things that are grand or splendid, macanudo is much more casual and is used to describe people or situations as being great or swell.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal contexts, you may use espléndido/a to mean splendid or gorgeous or soberbio/a to denote something grand or superb. In informal situations, you can use alucinante for something mind-blowing or awesome, genial for something great or fantastic or estupendo/a for something great or terrific. The word macanudo is also informal or colloquial, used to say something is great or magnificent.
Is it said differently in some regions?
macanudo is an informal or colloquial term often used in certain Latin American dialects to mean magnificent, great or swell.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use magnífica for feminine singular nouns, magníficos for masculine plural nouns and magníficas for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers sometimes use the word bestial to describe something magnificent or huge, even though it literally means 'beastly'.
- While estupendo is used as a synonym for magnificent, it shares the same root as 'stupid', coming from the Latin word for 'stunned'.
- The colloquial term macanudo is derived from macana, which in many other Spanish-speaking countries refers to a police baton or a mistake.
Examples in context
- La boda real fue un evento magnífico.The royal wedding was a magnificent occasion.This sentence shows how to use magnífico to describe a royal wedding event.Tatoeba #1923343 by marcelostockle, translation #49458 by CM
- El magnífico semental alcanzó un precio enorme en la subasta.The magnificent stallion fetched a huge price at auction.This sentence demonstrates the use of magnífico to describe a stallion.Tatoeba #5410222 by albrusgher, translation #3080983 by patgfisher
- El paisaje es magnífico.This scenery is magnificent.This sentence illustrates using magnífico to describe scenery.Tatoeba #660305 by darinmex, translation #36055 by CK
- La arquitectura del palacio es espléndida.The architecture of the palace is magnificent.
- Su concierto fue simplemente soberbio.His concert was simply magnificent.
- El paisaje montañoso es impresionante.The mountain landscape is magnificent.
- ¡La película que vimos anoche fue alucinante!The movie we saw last night was magnificent!
- ¡El concierto estuvo estupendo!The concert was magnificent!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are visiting a historic palace.
- SofíaMira el techo, ¡es magnífico!Look at the ceiling, it's magnificent!
- JavierTienes razón, todo este lugar es increíble.You're right, this whole place is incredible.
- SofíaEl diseño es realmente magnífico y elegante.The design is truly magnificent and elegant.
- JavierMe alegra que hayamos venido, Sofía.I'm glad we came, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “magnificent” translations and entries magnífico, macanudo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries macanudo, magnífico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
