recontra-
/rekontɾa/
The English phrase "super" can be expressed in Spanish using recontra-. If unsure, use recontra-. Wiktionary also lists requetecontra.
Meaning: better than usual (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| recontra- | /rekontɾa/ | |
| requetecontra | /reketekontɾa/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America |
This term is used to mean better than usual (adj).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The prefix recontra- is considered informal and is most commonly used in spoken, casual conversation. For a more formal way to say extremely, you can use Sumamente.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form requetecontra is used in Latin-America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form recontra- functions as a prefix that is attached directly to an adjective to intensify its meaning. Additionally, the prefix Re is used in informal Spanish to intensify adjectives or adverbs.
How do you pronounce it?
/rekontɾa/
Did you know?
- The prefix re- actually comes from the Latin prefix for 'again', meaning that 'extremely' originally implied a repetition of a quality.
- In some Latin American countries, you can stack prefixes even further than requetecontra- to create humorous, exaggerated emphasis in casual speech.
- When using re- or recontra-, speakers often elongate the vowel sound to add even more emotional weight to the adjective.
Examples in context
- Estoy re emocionado/a por la fiesta.I'm super excited about the party.
- Estoy requetecontento/a con los resultados.I'm super-duper happy with the results.
- La película fue requeteentretenida.The movie was super entertaining.
- ¡Esa comida está potísima!That food is super delicious!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “super” translations and entries recontra-, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
