famoso
/fah-MOH-soh/
famous
When something is famoso, it is famous or well-known, like a star under a spotlight.
famoso(Adjective)
famous
?well-known
,well-known
?widely recognized
renowned
?highly celebrated
,notorious
?known for bad reasons (less common)
📝 In Action
Este es un actor muy famoso.
A1This is a very famous actor.
La ciudad es famosa por sus vinos.
A2The city is famous for its wines.
Esa canción se hizo famosa en los años noventa.
A2That song became famous in the nineties.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Since 'famoso' is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the thing it describes (the noun). Use 'famoso' for masculine singular, 'famosa' for feminine singular, 'famosos' for masculine plural, and 'famosas' for feminine plural.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: "Las cantantes famoso."
Correction: Las cantantes famosas. (Since 'cantantes' is plural and feminine, 'famoso' must also be plural and feminine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement
'Famoso' usually goes after the noun (El escritor famoso), but placing it before (El famoso escritor) can emphasize the quality, often sounding more literary or dramatic.
A famoso (or una famosa) is a celebrity or a famous person, often seen walking the red carpet.
famoso(Noun)
celebrity
?famous person
,star
?entertainment figure
public figure
?person in the public eye
📝 In Action
Los famosos tienen una vida muy ocupada.
B1Celebrities have very busy lives.
Mi hermana quiere ser una famosa de la televisión.
B1My sister wants to be a TV star (a famous person on TV).
Vimos a un famoso comiendo en el restaurante.
B2We saw a celebrity eating at the restaurant.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Acting as a Noun
In Spanish, you can often use an adjective like 'famoso' directly as a noun simply by adding the article (el, la, los, las) in front of it. This lets you talk about the person or thing that has that quality.
⭐ Usage Tips
Gender Matching
Remember to match the article and the noun ending to the gender of the celebrity: 'el famoso' (male star) vs. 'la famosa' (female star).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: famoso
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'famoso'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'famoso' and 'conocido'?
'Famoso' means 'famous' or 'celebrated'—known by many people, often publicly. 'Conocido' means 'known' or 'familiar'—it can refer to a friend or someone recognized locally, not necessarily a global celebrity.
Can 'famoso' be used negatively, like 'notorious'?
Yes, 'famoso' can mean 'notorious' or 'infamous' if the context makes it clear the fame is based on bad deeds. For example, 'un famoso criminal' (a notorious criminal).