demasiado grande
/demasjado ɡɾande/from spelling rules
The English phrase "too big" is expressed in Spanish as demasiado grande.
demasiado grande is used to describe something that exceeds the desired or necessary size. You can use the structure demasiado followed by any adjective to say "too [adjective]" in general.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of demasiado (too/too much) and grande (big/large).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adverb demasiado remains invariable even when the adjective changes for gender or number. However, the adjective must agree with the subject. For example, when describing multiple objects, the adjective grande must become grandes to form demasiado grandes.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly make the adverb feminine, such as saying demasiada grande to match a feminine noun. You should keep demasiado in its masculine/neutral form when it is modifying an adjective.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, placing grande before a noun can change its meaning from 'big' to 'great' in terms of nobility or importance. While un hombre grande is a big man, un gran hombre is a great man.
- The word demasiado actually stems from the noun demasía, which refers to an 'excess' or 'surplus'. This means when you say something is demasiado grande, you are literally saying it has an 'excess of largeness'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone says a gift is demasiado grande, it can be a polite way of expressing that it is overwhelming or perhaps more than one can handle, rather than just a comment on physical dimensions.
Examples in context
- Esto es demasiado grande.This is too big.This sentence demonstrates how to use demasiado grande to state that something is too big.Tatoeba #1190845 by Shishir, translation #55535 by CK
- ¿Es esto demasiado grande?Is this too big?This sentence shows how to ask a question using demasiado grande.Tatoeba #3538563 by marcelostockle, translation #3315273 by CK
- Esos son demasiado grandes.Those are too big.This sentence illustrates how the adjective changes to grandes for a plural subject while using the form demasiado grande.Tatoeba #3538565 by marcelostockle, translation #3315271 by CK
- Este sombrero es excesivamente grande para mi cabeza.This hat is too big for my head.
- Esta casa es demasiado grande.This house is too big.
- El televisor es demasiado grande para esta habitación.The television is too big for this room.
- No puedo usar esos zapatos, me quedan muy grandes.I can't wear those shoes, they are too big for me.
- La maleta que compramos resultó ser excesivamente grande.The suitcase we bought turned out to be excessively big.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a new sofa in a furniture store.
- SofíaEste sofá es demasiado grande para la sala.This sofa is too big for the living room.
- AlejandroTienes razón, Sofía.You're right, Sofía.
- Sofía¿Busquemos uno más pequeño?Should we look for a smaller one?
- AlejandroSí, ese modelo es demasiado grande para nosotros.Yes, that model is too big for us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries demasiado, grande, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
