tremendo
/treh-MEN-doh/
huge
When describing size, tremendo means huge.
tremendo(adjective)
huge
?size or scale
,great
?intensity or impact
enormous
?emphasizing size
,immense
?emphasizing scale
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'tremendo' changes its ending to match the thing it describes: 'tremendo éxito' (m, singular), 'tremenda sorpresa' (f, singular), 'tremendos problemas' (m, plural).
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement
It usually goes before the noun when emphasizing size or intensity: 'un tremendo error,' not 'un error tremendo' (though the latter is possible, the former is stronger).
When describing a bad situation, tremendo means terrible.
tremendo(adjective)
terrible
?describing a bad situation
,awful
?describing a negative quality
severe
?describing a punishment or consequence
,dreadful
?describing an experience
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Meaning Shift
The meaning of 'tremendo' often depends on the context. If you are describing something negative, it intensifies that negativity (e.g., 'tremenda hambre' means severe hunger).
When expressing high praise, tremendo means fantastic.
tremendo(adjective)
fantastic
?expressing high praise
,amazing
?expressing admiration
awesome
?slang/informal praise
,brilliant
?describing a performance or idea
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Positive Intensifier
In informal speech, 'tremendo' loses its original meaning of 'fearsome' and simply becomes a powerful way to say 'very good' or 'excellent.' Context determines if it's positive or negative.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overusing in Formal Contexts
Mistake: "Usando 'tremendo' para describir un logro científico en una tesis."
Correction: Use 'notable' or 'significativo' instead. 'Tremendo' is too casual for formal academic writing.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with '¡Qué!'
It sounds very natural when used in exclamations to show admiration: '¡Qué tremendo coche!' (What an amazing car!)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tremendo
Question 1 of 2
Which of the following sentences uses 'tremendo' to mean 'fantastic'?
📚 More Resources
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).