grande
/GRAHN-deh/
big
Grande (big/large) describes the relative physical size of the red apple.
grande(Adjective)
big
?General size
,large
?General size, often for clothing
tall
?Describing a person's height
,spacious
?Describing a room or area
📝 In Action
Mi casa es muy grande.
A1My house is very big.
Necesito una talla más grande, por favor.
A1I need a larger size, please.
Es un hombre alto y grande.
A2He is a tall and big man.
💡 Grammar Points
Where to Place It
To talk about physical size, 'grande' almost always comes after the thing it's describing. For example, 'la casa grande' (the big house).
Always Stays the Same (for Gender)
'Grande' doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. It's 'el perro grande' (the big dog) and 'la gata grande' (the big cat).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Big' and 'Long'
Mistake: "El Nilo es un río muy grande."
Correction: El Nilo es un río muy largo. While the Nile is big, when you're talking about its length, 'largo' is the right word. Use 'grande' for overall size or volume.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking 'How Big?'
A natural way to ask about size is '¿Qué tan grande es?' or '¿Cómo de grande es?'. For example, '¿Qué tan grande es tu apartamento?' (How big is your apartment?).
Gran/Grande (great) is used to describe something of high quality, importance, or magnificence, symbolized here by a crown.
grande(Adjective)
great
?Quality or importance
,grand
?Impressive, magnificent
major
?Significant, important
📝 In Action
Gaudí fue un gran arquitecto.
A2Gaudí was a great architect.
Fue una gran sorpresa para todos.
B1It was a great surprise for everyone.
Tenemos grandes planes para el futuro.
B1We have big/great plans for the future.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'gran' Transformation
When you put 'grande' before a singular thing (masculine or feminine), it shortens to 'gran' and its meaning changes from 'big' to 'great'. For example, 'un gran día' (a great day).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Big Man' vs. 'Great Man'
Mistake: "Él es un hombre grande."
Correction: This means 'He is a large/big man' (physically). To say 'He is a great man,' you must say 'Es un gran hombre.' Placement is everything here!
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Admiration
Use 'gran' to praise someone or something. It adds a touch of admiration or highlights the importance of the thing you're talking about.
Grande (grown-up/adult) refers to someone who has reached adulthood, often used when speaking about age or siblings.
grande(Adjective)
grown-up
?Referring to an adult
,adult
?Referring to an adult
older
?When comparing siblings
📝 In Action
Cuando sea grande, quiero ser médico.
B1When I'm grown-up, I want to be a doctor.
Mi hermano grande vive en otra ciudad.
A2My older brother lives in another city.
Ya eres grande para creer en fantasmas.
B1You're too old/grown-up to believe in ghosts.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About Siblings
While 'hermano mayor' is the most common way to say 'older brother,' you'll often hear 'hermano grande,' especially from children. Both are understood.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: grande
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'She is a great artist'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important difference between 'grande' and 'gran'?
It's all about meaning and position. 'Grande' comes after a noun and means 'big' in size (una casa grande). 'Gran' comes before a singular noun and means 'great' in quality (un gran líder).
Can I say 'grandes' before a noun?
Yes, you can! For plural things, you always use 'grandes', never 'granes'. When you put it before the noun, like 'grandes ideas' (great ideas), it usually means 'great'. When you put it after, 'casas grandes' (big houses), it usually means 'big'.
How do I say 'bigger' or 'biggest'?
To say 'bigger', you use 'más grande'. For example, 'Mi coche es más grande que el tuyo' (My car is bigger than yours). To say 'biggest', you use 'el/la más grande'. For example, 'Es el edificio más grande de la ciudad' (It's the biggest building in the city).