eres genial
/eɾes xenjal/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you're cool" can be translated into Spanish as eres genial.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they are a great or impressive person. Depending on the context, eres genial can also mean "you are great" or "you are wonderful".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
eres genial is an informal phrase typically used among friends or peers rather than in professional or highly formal settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Spanish-speaking countries, you can informally use Eres chévere to say "You're cool". In some regions of Latin America, particularly Peru and Chile, Eres bacán is used informally to express the same sentiment. In Spain, the word guay is used informally to mean "cool".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb ser (to be) because being cool is considered an inherent characteristic of the person's personality.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'cool' to mean both a temperature and a personality trait, using frío to describe a person in Spanish would suggest they are emotionally distant or unfriendly rather than impressive.
- The word genial originates from the Latin geniālis, which originally referred to things relating to marriage or festive celebrations.
- In Spain, guay is so common that it has evolved into a noun to describe a 'cool' person, such as calling someone un guay.
Examples in context
- Señor González, su forma de liderar este proyecto es genial.Mr. González, your way of leading this project is cool.
- ¡Mi amigo Juan! Eres chévere, siempre me haces reír.My friend Juan! You're cool, you always make me laugh.
- ¡Amiga, tus dibujos son bacanes!Friend, your drawings are cool!
- ¡Eres genial, gracias por la ayuda!You're cool, thanks for the help!
- No lo sabes, pero eres genial.You don't know it, but you're cool.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are hanging out at a park.
- LucíaDaniel, eres genial por compartir tu música.Daniel, you're cool for sharing your music.
- DanielGracias, Lucía. Me alegra que te guste.Thanks, Lucía. I'm glad you like it.
- LucíaTienes un gusto increíble.You have incredible taste.
- DanielTú también eres una buena amiga.You are also a good friend.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eres, genial, CC BY-SA 4.0.
