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genio

HEH-nee-oh/ˈxe.njo/

genius, prodigy

Also: mastermind
NounmB1
A focused young person sitting at a desk, surrounded by brightly glowing, interconnected spheres representing ideas.

📝 In Action

Einstein fue un genio de la física.

B1

Einstein was a genius of physics.

Mi hermana es un genio con la programación; aprendió sola.

B2

My sister is a genius at programming; she taught herself.

¡Qué genio! Se le ocurrió la solución en un minuto.

B1

What a genius! The solution occurred to him in one minute.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • tonto (fool)
  • inepto (inept)

Common Collocations

  • genio musical – musical genius
  • genio creativo – creative genius

temper, disposition

Also: mood, spirit
NounmA2
A cartoonish figure with a bright red face, steam puffing vigorously out of their ears, showing extreme anger.

📝 In Action

Tiene muy mal genio por las mañanas.

A2

He has a very bad temper in the mornings.

Hoy mi jefe está de buen genio, ¡aprovecha!

A2

My boss is in a good mood today, take advantage of it!

No le digas nada, está de mal genio.

A1

Don't tell him anything, he's in a bad temper/mood.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • carácter (character)
  • humor (mood)

Common Collocations

  • tener genio – to have a temper
  • estar de buen/mal genio – to be in a good/bad mood

Idioms & Expressions

  • tener un genio de perros – to have a terrible temper

genie, spirit

NounmB2
A large, blue, muscular genie character emerging dramatically from the spout of a small, antique golden oil lamp, surrounded by swirling purple smoke.

📝 In Action

El genio salió de la lámpara mágica y ofreció tres deseos.

B2

The genie came out of the magic lamp and offered three wishes.

Según la leyenda, cada persona tiene un genio protector.

C1

According to legend, every person has a protective spirit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • espíritu (spirit)
  • duende (elf/goblin)

Common Collocations

  • genio de la lámpara – genie of the lamp

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "genio" in Spanish:

genie→prodigy→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: genio

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'genio' to mean 'temperament' or 'mood'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
genial(brilliant; great) — Adjective
genialidad(brilliance; stroke of genius) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
mediodesafío
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word 'genius', which originally meant 'tutelary spirit' or 'innate nature'. This explains why the Spanish word means both 'great talent' and 'temperament' (a person's inherent nature).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: genioFrench: génie

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'ser un genio' and 'tener genio'?

'Ser un genio' means 'to be a genius' (Definition 1: exceptional talent). 'Tener genio' means 'to have a temper' (Definition 2: quick to anger or moody disposition).

Is 'genio' a masculine or feminine noun?

'Genio' is always a masculine noun (*el genio*), even if you are referring to a female genius or a general mood.