tremendo
“tremendo” means “huge” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
huge, great
Also: enormous, immense
📝 In Action
Hubo un tremendo ruido cuando se cayó el árbol.
B1There was a huge noise when the tree fell.
Hicimos un tremendo esfuerzo para terminar a tiempo.
B2We made a great effort to finish on time.
terrible, awful
Also: severe, dreadful
📝 In Action
Fue una tremenda equivocación confiar en él.
B2It was a terrible mistake to trust him.
El equipo sufrió una tremenda derrota en la final.
C1The team suffered an awful defeat in the final.
fantastic, amazing
Also: awesome, brilliant
📝 In Action
¡Qué tremenda voz tiene esa cantante!
C1What an amazing voice that singer has!
La cena que preparaste estaba tremenda.
C1The dinner you prepared was fantastic.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "tremendo" in Spanish:
amazing→awesome→awful→brilliant→dreadful→enormous→fantastic→great→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tremendo
Question 1 of 2
Which of the following sentences uses 'tremendo' to mean 'fantastic'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *tremendus*, which literally meant 'that which must be trembled at' or 'fearsome.' Over time, the meaning broadened from just 'fearsome' to anything that causes a strong reaction, whether fear, awe, or admiration, leading to its modern meaning of 'intense' or 'huge.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tremendo' always a negative word?
No! While its root means 'fearsome' and it is often used for severe or terrible things ('tremendo error'), it is very commonly used to mean 'huge,' 'great,' or, informally, 'fantastic' ('tremenda fiesta'). You need to look at the word it describes to understand the tone.
How do I make 'tremendo' plural?
Since it is an adjective, you simply add '-s' to the end: 'tremendos' (masculine plural) or 'tremendas' (feminine plural). For example: 'tremendos problemas' (huge problems).