What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the verb impresionar (to impress), so it literally carries the sense of something that 'impresses' or 'strikes' the observer.
Which one should you use?
In English, 'stunning' is often reserved for beauty, while 'impressive' is used for scale or skill. In Spanish, impresionante covers both senses, being used for both beautiful people and impressive achievements or sights. You may also use deslumbrante to emphasize something that is dazzling or breathtaking, or espléndido to convey that something is splendid, magnificent or awe-inspiring.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective impresionante is gender-neutral and does not change its ending based on whether the subject is masculine or feminine. To make the adjective plural to match a plural noun, add an -es to the end: impresionantes.
How do you pronounce it?
/impɾesjoˈnante/
Did you know?
- While impresionante is a common translation for 'stunning', it is also the standard way to describe a 'shocking' or 'scandalous' situation in a news report.
- If a view is truly 'stunning' in a way that takes your breath away, you might use the phrase quedar boquiabierto, which literally means 'to be left with one's mouth open'.
- The root of impresionante comes from the Latin 'impressio', which refers to a physical 'pressing' or 'stamping' onto a surface.
Examples in context
- Realmente te ves impresionante.You really do look stunning.This sentence is useful for describing how someone looks with impresionante.Tatoeba #5556428 by albrusgher, translation #3360262 by CK
- Ese vestido se ve impresionante en ti.That dress looks stunning on you.This sentence is useful for describing how an item of clothing looks with impresionante.Tatoeba #5556431 by albrusgher, translation #2214197 by Hybrid
- Ella es el tipo que los hombres denominan "impresionante".She is the type men call "stunning."This sentence is useful for describing a type of person using impresionante.Tatoeba #5556578 by albrusgher, translation #847143 by Source_Benedict_1921
- Aquella pintura es realmente impresionante.That painting is truly stunning.
- La vista desde la cima de la montaña es deslumbrante.The view from the top of the mountain is stunning.
- La puesta de sol en la playa es un espectáculo espléndido.The sunset at the beach is a stunning spectacle.
- El concierto de anoche estuvo increíble.Last night's concert was stunning.
- ¡Ese truco de magia que hizo Juan fue realmente asombroso!That magic trick Juan did was truly stunning!
- La película que vimos anoche fue alucinante.The movie we watched last night was stunning.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking at the view from a balcony.
- DanielLa vista desde aquí es impresionante.The view from here is stunning.
- LucíaSí, es un paisaje impresionante.Yes, it is a stunning landscape.
- DanielLucía, te ves impresionante con esa luz.Lucía, you look stunning in this light.
- LucíaGracias, Daniel, eres muy amable.Thank you, Daniel, you are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry impresionante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries impresionante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
