esto es genial
/esto es xenjal/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'this is cool' can be translated into Spanish as esto es genial.
Which one should you use?
While esto es genial is a common way to say 'this is cool', it is more neutral and widely understood across all Spanish-speaking countries than regional slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Several phrases are specific to certain areas: Esto está guay and the colloquial Esto mola are native to Spain. In Mexico, a common informal expression is esto está padre, while in several South American countries such as Chile and Peru, you will hear esto está bacán.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase esto es genial, the word esto is the neuter form of 'this'. It is used to refer to an abstract concept, a situation or an unidentified object.
Did you know?
- The word bacán, used in Chile and Peru to mean 'cool', is believed to have originated from 'bacanal', referring to the wild parties of the Roman god Bacchus.
- The Mexican expression está padre uses a word that literally translates to 'father'. While it is a very common way to say 'it is cool', using it to describe a person or a situation might sound much more informal and slangy than the English equivalent.
- In Spain, the phrase esto mola is used to say something is cool. The verb molar originally referred to grinding grain with a millstone.
Examples in context
- ¡En serio? ¡Eso está chido!Really? That's cool!
- ¡Esto es genial!This is cool!
- No puedo creerlo, esto es genial.I can't believe it, this is cool.
- Mira este nuevo juego, esto es genial.Look at this new game, this is cool.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are looking at a new art gallery.
- ElenaMira esta pintura, Daniel.Look at this painting, Daniel.
- DanielTienes razón, esto es genial.You're right, this is cool.
- Elena¿Te gusta el estilo?Do you like the style?
- DanielSí, me encanta todo aquí.Yes, I love everything here.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
