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fama

FAH-mahˈfa.ma

“fama” means “fame” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

fame, celebrity

Also: renown
NounfA2
A person standing center stage under a bright spotlight, receiving enthusiastic applause from an unseen audience, symbolizing their famous status.

📝 In Action

La cantante saltó a la fama después de ganar el concurso.

A2

The singer shot to fame after winning the contest.

Mucha gente busca la fama, pero pocos la encuentran.

B1

Many people seek fame, but few find it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tener fama – to be famous
  • alcanzar la fama – to achieve fame
  • estrella de fama mundial – world-famous star

reputation

Also: name
NounfB1
A skilled carpenter confidently handing a perfectly crafted wooden object to another person, who looks at the object with clear trust and admiration, symbolizing a good reputation.

📝 In Action

Ese hotel tiene fama de tener el mejor servicio de la ciudad.

B1

That hotel has a reputation for having the best service in the city.

Perdió su buena fama después del escándalo.

B2

He lost his good reputation after the scandal.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desprestigio (discredit)
  • infamia (infamy)

Common Collocations

  • de buena fama – well-reputed
  • de mala fama – ill-reputed/notorious
  • defender su fama – to defend one's reputation

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "fama" in Spanish:

celebrity→fame→name→renown→reputation→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: fama

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'fama' to mean 'reputation'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
famoso(famous) — Adjective
infamia(infamy/bad reputation) — Noun
difamar(to defame/slander) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

'Fama' comes directly from the Latin word *fāma*, which meant 'report,' 'rumor,' or 'renown.' It traveled into Spanish and kept its core meaning related to public talk and recognition.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: famaFrench: fameEnglish: fame

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'fama' always positive?

No. While 'fama' often implies positive celebrity, it simply means 'being known.' You need to add an adjective to specify: 'buena fama' (good reputation) or 'mala fama' (bad reputation/notoriety).

How is 'fama' different from 'famoso'?

'Fama' is the noun (the state of being known), like 'fame' in English. 'Famoso/a' is the adjective (the description), meaning 'famous.' If someone has 'fama,' they are 'famoso.'