fenomenal
/fe-no-meh-NAL/
fantastic
A 'fenomenal' (fantastic) star shining brightly.
fenomenal(adjective)
fantastic
?describing something very good
,great
?describing quality or experience
phenomenal
?something extraordinary or huge
📝 In Action
Tuvimos una cena fenomenal anoche.
A1We had a fantastic dinner last night.
Tu hermano es una persona fenomenal.
A2Your brother is a great person.
El equipo hizo un esfuerzo fenomenal para ganar.
B1The team made a phenomenal effort to win.
💡 Grammar Points
One Ending for Everyone
This word stays exactly the same whether you are describing a masculine word (like 'el libro') or a feminine word (like 'la casa'). You don't need to change the 'l' at the end.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Avoid 'Fenomenala'
Mistake: "Saying 'una idea fenomenala'."
Correction: Say 'una idea fenomenal'. Adjectives ending in 'l' don't add an 'a' for feminine words.
⭐ Usage Tips
Universal Praise
You can use this word for almost anything: food, people, weather, or events. It is a safe and very positive word.
Everything went 'fenomenal' (great) at the race.
fenomenal(adverb)
great
?describing how an action is performed
,wonderfully
?describing a feeling or result
very well
?answering 'How are you?'
📝 In Action
Lo pasamos fenomenal en tus vacaciones.
B1We had a great time on your vacation.
Me siento fenomenal después de dormir ocho horas.
A2I feel great after sleeping eight hours.
El plan salió fenomenal.
B1The plan went wonderfully.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Actions
When used after verbs like 'pasarlo' (to have a time) or 'sentirse' (to feel), it describes 'how' the action is happening, behaving like an adverb.
⭐ Usage Tips
Spain vs. Latin America
Using 'fenomenal' as an adverb is extremely popular in Spain. In many parts of Latin America, people might prefer 'genial' or 'súper bien' in the same context.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fenomenal
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'fenomenal' to describe HOW someone had a good time?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'fenomenal' be used for bad things?
Generally, no. In modern Spanish, it is almost exclusively used for very positive things. However, like in English, someone might use it sarcastically, but it's rare.
Is 'fenomenal' more formal than 'genial'?
It's slightly more neutral. 'Genial' is very common among friends, while 'fenomenal' works well in both casual chats and professional praise.