mítico
/ˈmitiko/
The English word 'mythical' is translated into Spanish as mítico.
The word mítico is used to describe something that exists in myth.
Meaning: existing in myth (adj)
Which one should you use?
While mítico describes something that is mythical, the related forms mitológico/a are used specifically to refer to things that are related to mythology.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use the masculine singular mítico, the feminine singular mítica, the masculine plural míticos for masculine or mixed-gender groups and the feminine plural míticas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmitiko/
Did you know?
- In modern Spanish, mítico is often used as a synonym for 'legendary' or 'iconic' to describe real people or things, such as a mítico football player.
- The word mítico comes from the Late Latin mȳthicus, which was adapted from the Ancient Greek μῡθικός.
- Spanish speakers use mítico to describe things so extraordinary they seem impossible, even if they are not part of any formal myth.
Examples in context
- El mítico Kraken, grueso como un barco pero el triple de grande, una vez atacó a la flota de Cristóbal Colón… sin dejarle a Colón más opción que comérselo.The mythical Kraken, thick as a ship and three times as wide, once made an attack on Christopher Columbus's fleet… giving Columbus no choice but to eat him.This sentence shows how to use mítico to describe the Kraken.Tatoeba #545615 by Shishir, translation #545608 by FeuDRenais
- Llegados a este punto, y conscientes de que todo lugar que se precie cuenta con su propio fantasma, uno siente la llamada de la mítica Dama Blanca de Haapsalu.Having arrived at this point, and conscious that every self-respecting place has its own ghost, one feels the call of the mythical White Lady of Haapsalu.This sentence demonstrates the feminine form mítica being used to describe 'la Dama Blanca'.
- El dragón es una criatura míticaThe dragon is a mythical creature
- La ciudad perdida de Atlántida es un lugar legendarioThe lost city of Atlantis is a mythical place
- El unicornio es una criatura fabulosaThe unicorn is a mythical creature
- Zeus es un dios mitológicoZeus is a mythical god
- El unicornio es un animal mítico.The unicorn is a mythical animal.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a fantasy novel.
- Alejandro¿Te gusta ese personaje mítico?Do you like that mythical character?
- ElenaSí, es un ser muy interesante.Yes, he is a very interesting being.
- AlejandroA Elena le encantan las leyendas.Elena loves legends.
- ElenaEs verdad, las historias son fascinantes.It is true, the stories are fascinating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mythical” translations and entries mítico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mítico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
