Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| talentoso | /talenˈtoso/ |
| dotado | /doˈtado/ |
The primary way to express that someone is endowed with talent is to use talentoso. If you wish to say someone is 'very talented', place the adverb muy before the adjective. Other related terms include hábil, which conveys that someone is skillful or capable and dotado, which suggests a person is especially gifted or endowed with a specific ability.
Which one should you use?
While talentoso is the direct equivalent of 'talented', dotado carries a stronger connotation of being 'gifted' or 'endowed' with a specific ability.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal term crack is widely used across both Spain and Latin America. In Latin America, the slang term máquina (literally 'machine') is used to describe someone who is extremely proficient or talented.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adjectives in Spanish must agree with the gender of the noun they describe. For example, talentoso must change its ending to talentosa to agree with a feminine noun. Similarly, dotado must change to dotada to agree with a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/talenˈtoso/
Did you know?
- The word dotado can be a risky adjective because, in certain contexts and regions, it is used as a euphemism for being well-endowed physically.
- In Spain, the word crack is used to describe a talented person, but it specifically entered the lexicon through football culture to describe a star player.
- The Spanish word talento shares the same ancient Indo-European roots as the English word 'talent', both tracing back to a concept of weight or value.
Examples in context
- Tom es un actor talentoso.Tom is a talented actor.This sentence shows how to use talentoso to describe an actor.Tatoeba #1167548 by marcelostockle, translation #1167533 by CK
- Él es un escritor talentoso.He's a talented writer.This sentence shows how to use talentoso to describe a writer.Tatoeba #1704846 by marcelostockle, translation #1702726 by Spamster
- Ese fotógrafo es muy talentoso.That photographer is really talented.This sentence shows how to use talentoso with the adverb muy to mean 'really talented'.Tatoeba #2707066 by cueyayotl, translation #2685941 by CM
- Ella es una artista dotadaShe is a talented artist
- El carpintero es hábilThe carpenter is talented/skilled
- Él es un crack jugando fútbolHe is a talented soccer player
- ¡Eres una máquina tocando la guitarra!You are incredibly talented at playing the guitar!
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a musician at a concert.
- ElenaEse pianista es muy talentoso.That pianist is very talented.
- DanielSí, es un músico increíble.Yes, he is an incredible musician.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿crees que tiene futuro?Daniel, do you think he has a future?
- DanielSin duda, es un chico talentoso.Without a doubt, he is a talented boy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “talented” translations and entries talentoso, dotado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries talentoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
