fantástico
“fantástico” means “fantastic” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
fantastic, great
Also: wonderful, fabulous
📝 In Action
¡Qué coche tan fantástico! Me encanta el color.
A1What a fantastic car! I love the color.
La película fue fantástica. Recomiendo verla.
A2The movie was fantastic. I recommend watching it.
Mi nueva jefa es fantástica; siempre ayuda a su equipo.
B1My new boss (feminine) is fantastic; she always helps her team.
imaginary
Also: fictional, surreal
📝 In Action
Estudiamos la literatura fantástica del siglo XIX.
B1We are studying 19th-century fantastic/fantasy literature.
Los dragones son criaturas fantásticas.
B2Dragons are fantastic/imaginary creatures.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: fantástico
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish sentence uses 'fantástica' in its figurative meaning (excellent)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Late Latin *fantasticus*, which itself originated from the Greek *phantastikós*, meaning 'able to imagine' or 'belonging to the imagination'. The meaning shifted over time from 'imaginary' to the highly enthusiastic 'excellent'.
First recorded: 15th century (Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'fantástico' and 'maravilloso'?
Both mean 'fantastic' or 'wonderful.' 'Maravilloso' (marvelous) often sounds slightly more formal or emphasizes awe, while 'fantástico' is very common and can be used for anything from a good meal to a great idea.
Can I use 'fantástico' to describe someone's personality?
Absolutely! It's very common to say 'Él es fantástico' or 'Ella es fantástica' to mean that person is kind, helpful, and generally a great person to be around.