el más grande
/el mas ɡɾande/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'the greatest' is expressed as el más grande.
The phrase is used to describe the most superior or exceptional person or thing within a specific group. It is worth noting that el más grande can also mean 'the biggest' when referring to physical size. To add intensity, you can say verdaderamente el más grande to mean 'truly the greatest'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different Spanish-speaking regions have specific informal ways to express being 'the greatest' or 'the coolest': in Mexico and parts of Latin America, one might use el más chingón or la más chingona. In Colombia, el más bacano or la más bacana is common. In Spain, el más guay is a colloquial choice. And in Argentina, el más groso is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in both gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use la más grande for feminine singular nouns, los más grandes for masculine plural nouns and las más grandes for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/el mas ɡɾande/
Did you know?
- The colloquial Argentinian term groso to mean 'the greatest' literally translates to 'thick' or 'fat'.
- The word más and the English word 'master' both originate from the Latin word magis, which refers to being greater or more.
- The Spanish word grande is a direct cognate of the English word 'grand', but in Spanish it is used for everyday sizes while 'grand' is usually reserved for something impressive.
Examples in context
- Shakespeare es reconocido como el más grande dramaturgo.Shakespeare is recognized to be the greatest dramatist.This example shows how to use el más grande to identify a famous dramatist.Tatoeba #615682 by Leono, translation #53871 by al_ex_an_der
- Creo que Beethoven es el más grande compositor que haya vivido.I think Beethoven is the greatest composer who ever lived.This sentence uses el más grande to express an opinion about a composer.Tatoeba #11943397 by Eremon, translation #759714 by spockofvulcan
- Moisés fue el más grande de los profetas, pero no fue una persona perfecta.Moses was the greatest of the prophets, but he was not a perfect person.This example demonstrates using el más grande to describe a prophet.Tatoeba #10031594 by manufrutos, translation #10020593 by shekitten
- Ha sido reconocido como el mejor actor de todos los tiemposHe has been recognized as the greatest actor of all time
- Mi hermano es el más guay de toda la familiaMy brother is the greatest/coolest in the whole family
- Maradona fue el más groso del fútbol argentinoMaradona was the greatest in Argentine soccer
- Esta banda es la que manda en el rock chilenoThis band is the greatest in Chilean rock
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing their favorite athletes.
- JavierPara mí, Messi es el más grande.For me, Messi is the greatest.
- MaríaNo estoy de acuerdo, Javier.I don't agree, Javier.
- Javier¿Quién crees que es el más grande entonces?Who do you think is the greatest then?
- MaríaCreo que Pelé es el mejor.I think Pelé is the best.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, grande, más, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
