superman
/soo-per-mahn/
Superman (the superhero)
Depicting the fictional character, Superman, known for his extraordinary powers.
📝 In Action
De pequeño, siempre me disfrazaba de Superman para Halloween.
A2When I was little, I always dressed up as Superman for Halloween.
La película de Superman fue un éxito de taquilla mundial.
B1The Superman movie was a worldwide box office hit.
💡 Grammar Points
Proper Noun Use
Since this is the name of a character, it is often capitalized in Spanish, just like in English, although the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy) recommends using the Spanish equivalent 'Supermán'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Loanword Pronunciation
While the Spanish pronunciation /su-per-man/ is common, many Spanish speakers use the original English pronunciation due to global media influence.
Someone considered a 'superman' is a person possessing extraordinary ability or strength.
superman(noun)
superman
?person with extraordinary ability or strength
wonder worker
?highly competent person
,superstar
?successful person
📝 In Action
No puedo creer lo rápido que arregló el coche; es un verdadero superman.
B1I can't believe how fast he fixed the car; he's a real superman.
Mi madre es una superman en la oficina, maneja tres proyectos a la vez.
B2My mother is a superman at the office; she manages three projects at once.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This word is used figuratively to mean someone who is incredibly strong, talented, or tireless. You use it to exaggerate their abilities.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Feminine Article
Mistake: "Using 'la supermana' for a woman."
Correction: The word itself doesn't change form based on gender, even when referring to a woman. Stick to 'la superman' or, more commonly, use 'supermujer'.
⭐ Usage Tips
High Praise
Using 'superman' is a very high compliment, implying the person is capable of achieving the impossible.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: superman
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es el mejor sinónimo para describir a una persona que es un 'superman' en su trabajo?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Debo usar 'superman' o 'supermán'?
Both are acceptable. 'Superman' (without the accent) is the original English spelling and is very common. 'Supermán' (with the accent on the 'a') is the version recommended by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) to follow Spanish spelling rules, but you will hear and see the unaccented version most often.
¿Se puede usar 'superman' para referirse a una mujer?
Yes, but it's less common. You can use 'ella es un superman' to describe a highly capable woman, but many speakers prefer the Spanish equivalent 'supermujer' (superwoman) or simply use descriptive adjectives like 'increíble' or 'talentosa'.