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excepcional

/ex-sep-syo-NAL/

exceptional

A shiny gold trophy standing on a velvet pedestal, glowing with bright sparkles.

A gold trophy represents the outstanding quality of something excepcional.

excepcional(adjective)

m or fB1

exceptional

?

outstanding quality

Also:

outstanding

?

better than others

,

superb

?

extremely high quality

📝 In Action

Ella es una estudiante excepcional y siempre saca buenas notas.

B1

She is an exceptional student and always gets good grades.

El servicio en el hotel fue excepcional.

A2

The service at the hotel was outstanding.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • mediocre (mediocre)
  • común (common)

Common Collocations

  • talento excepcional – exceptional talent
  • calidad excepcional – exceptional quality

💡 Grammar Points

One Form for Everyone

This word doesn't change based on whether you're describing a man or a woman. You can say 'el hombre excepcional' or 'la mujer excepcional' and the ending stays exactly the same.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Avoid adding an 'a'

Mistake: "una persona excepcionala"

Correction: una persona excepcional. Words ending in 'l' don't need an 'a' to be feminine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Stronger than 'bueno'

Use this word when you want to say something isn't just 'good' (bueno), but truly stands out from the crowd.

A single bright blue flower growing in a field of plain white flowers.

The rare blue flower is excepcional because it is unusual compared to the others.

excepcional(adjective)

m or fB2

unusual

?

rare or out of the ordinary

Also:

exceptional

?

constituting an exception to a rule

📝 In Action

Debido a la tormenta, tomamos la medida excepcional de cerrar la escuela.

B2

Due to the storm, we took the unusual measure of closing the school.

Es un caso excepcional; normalmente no permitimos esto.

B1

It is an exceptional case; normally we don't allow this.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • inusual (unusual)
  • atípico (atypical)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • circunstancias excepcionales – exceptional circumstances
  • medida excepcional – unusual measure

💡 Grammar Points

Plural Form

To make this word plural, add '-es' to the end: 'casos excepcionales'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: excepcional

Question 1 of 2

Which of these is the best way to say 'An exceptional woman'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

excepción(exception) - noun
exceptuar(to except / to exclude) - verb
excepcionalmente(exceptionally) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'excepcional' always a compliment?

Usually, yes! If you call a person 'excepcional', it's a high praise. However, in legal or formal contexts, it might just mean 'unusual' or 'outside the rules' without being good or bad.

How do I make 'excepcional' plural?

Since it ends in a consonant, you add '-es' to the end. One thing is 'excepcional', but two things are 'excepcionales'.