formidable
/for-mee-dah-blay/
wonderful
A wonderful and excellent sunny day in a flower field.
formidable(adjective)
wonderful
?expressing that something is great or excellent
terrific
?expressing high quality or enjoyment
,great
?general positive description
📝 In Action
¡Qué noticia más formidable!
A2What wonderful news!
Pasamos un día formidable en la playa.
B1We had a terrific day at the beach.
Eres un cocinero formidable.
B1You are a great cook.
💡 Grammar Points
One word for everyone
This word doesn't change for boys or girls! Whether you describe 'un hombre' or 'una mujer,' it is always 'formidable.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not always scary
Mistake: "Using it only for scary things because it looks like the English word 'formidable'."
Correction: In Spanish, it is much more common to use it as a compliment to mean 'great' or 'wonderful'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Enthusiasm
Use 'formidable' when you want to sound slightly more elegant than just saying 'bueno' or 'bien'.
A formidable and powerful mountain that inspires respect.
formidable(adjective)
formidable
?inspiring respect through being large, powerful, or intense
daunting
?something that seems difficult to overcome
,tremendous
?something of great size or force
📝 In Action
El equipo se enfrentó a un rival formidable.
B2The team faced a formidable rival.
La montaña presentaba un reto formidable.
C1The mountain presented a daunting challenge.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is King
If you are talking about an opponent or a storm, it means powerful/scary. If you are talking about a party or a meal, it means wonderful!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: formidable
Question 1 of 1
If your friend says your new car is 'formidable', what do they mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'formidable' change for masculine and feminine nouns?
No, it is an 'invariable' adjective, meaning it stays the same regardless of the gender of the person or thing you are describing.
Is it a false friend in English?
Sort of! While it can mean 'daunting' or 'powerful' like in English, in Spanish it is much more frequently used to simply mean 'excellent' or 'wonderful,' which English doesn't really do.