Inklingo

How to Say "deep" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “deep” is “hondo” — use this for physical depth of places like rivers, wells, or holes, and also for intense emotional states like sorrow or regret..

hondo🔊A1

Use this for physical depth of places like rivers, wells, or holes, and also for intense emotional states like sorrow or regret.

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profunda🔊A1

This is used for the physical depth of things like caves or the sea, and also for profound emotions, sleep, or thought.

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entrado🔊B1

Use this specifically when talking about time, like 'deep into the night' or 'deep into a certain age' (e.g., forties, sixties).

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intenso🔊B2

Choose this word when describing strong emotions, passions, or a high level of focus or concentration.

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oscura🔊B2

This is used to describe deep, dark shades of colors, like a deep red, blue, or green.

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rico🔊B1

Use this when describing a rich, deep quality of color or tone, often implying abundance or intensity.

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grave🔊C1

This word specifically refers to a low, deep sound or tone, such as a voice or music.

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English → Spanish

hondo

/OHN-doh//ˈondo/

adjectiveA1general
Use this for physical depth of places like rivers, wells, or holes, and also for intense emotional states like sorrow or regret.
A cross-section of a deep blue well showing water far below the surface.

Examples

El pozo es muy hondo.

The well is very deep.

El río es muy hondo en esta parte.

The river is very deep in this part.

Necesito un plato hondo para la sopa.

I need a deep bowl for the soup.

Siento un hondo pesar por la noticia.

I feel a deep sorrow because of the news.

Describing Feminine Things

When describing a feminine word, change the 'o' to an 'a': 'la piscina honda'.

Hondo vs. Fondo

Mistake: “El fondo de la piscina es muy hondo.”

Correction: Use 'hondo' to describe how deep something is, and 'fondo' to talk about the physical bottom part itself.

profunda

pro-FÚN-da/pɾoˈfunda/

adjectiveA1general
This is used for the physical depth of things like caves or the sea, and also for profound emotions, sleep, or thought.
A small red and white fishing boat floats on the surface of a vast, deep blue ocean. The water below the boat is intensely dark, indicating extreme depth.

Examples

La meditación requiere una concentración profunda.

Meditation requires deep concentration.

La cueva era muy profunda y oscura.

The cave was very deep and dark.

Necesitamos una olla más profunda para hacer la sopa.

We need a deeper pot to make the soup.

Sintió una alegría profunda al ver a su familia.

She felt a profound joy upon seeing her family.

Agreement is Key

Since 'profunda' ends in '-a', it is the feminine form. Always use this form when describing a feminine noun (like 'piscina' or 'cueva').

Figurative Use

When describing feelings, 'profunda' means the emotion is strong and reaches the core of a person, similar to how 'deep' water reaches far down.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La mar profundo.”

Correction: La mar profunda. Remember to match the '-a' sound of the adjective to the noun you are describing.

entrado

en-TRAH-doh/enˈtɾa.ðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use this specifically when talking about time, like 'deep into the night' or 'deep into a certain age' (e.g., forties, sixties).
A gentle illustration of a kind-faced elderly person with grey hair and deep wrinkles, symbolizing advanced age.

Examples

Estábamos ya entrados en la noche cuando llegamos.

We were already deep into the night when we arrived.

Ella es una mujer entrada en los cuarenta.

She is a woman well into her forties.

Estábamos en la noche bien entrada cuando llegaron.

We were deep into the night when they arrived.

El hombre, entrado en años, se sentó a descansar.

The man, advanced in years (elderly), sat down to rest.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'entrado' must match the noun it describes in gender and number: 'entrada' (feminine singular), 'entrados' (masculine plural), 'entradas' (feminine plural).

intenso

een-TEHN-soh/inˈtenso/

adjectiveB2general
Choose this word when describing strong emotions, passions, or a high level of focus or concentration.
A child sitting at a small table, deeply engrossed and concentrating intensely on drawing a picture with a bright red crayon.

Examples

Tiene una intensa pasión por la música.

He has a deep passion for music.

Ella tiene sentimientos muy intensos sobre la justicia social.

She has very intense feelings about social justice.

Es una persona muy intensa; siempre está pensando en el futuro.

He is a very intense person; he's always thinking about the future (meaning deeply focused/serious).

Tuvieron un debate intenso sobre política.

They had an intense debate about politics.

Using Ser vs. Estar

Since 'intenso' usually describes a core characteristic (like a personality trait or inherent strength), it almost always uses the verb 'ser' (e.g., 'Ella es intensa').

oscura

os-Koo-ra/osˈkuɾa/

adjectiveB2general
This is used to describe deep, dark shades of colors, like a deep red, blue, or green.
A single, large, perfectly round apple colored in an extremely deep, saturated crimson red.

Examples

Prefiero un color azul oscuro para mi coche.

I prefer a deep blue color for my car.

Me gusta esa tonalidad de azul oscura para pintar la pared.

I like that dark shade of blue to paint the wall.

Llevaba una falda roja oscura, casi granate.

She was wearing a deep red skirt, almost maroon.

Colors and Agreement

When describing a color, 'oscura' must agree with the noun it modifies, not the color itself. Example: 'la pintura (f) oscura' (the dark paint).

rico

REE-koh/ˈriko/

adjectiveB1general
Use this when describing a rich, deep quality of color or tone, often implying abundance or intensity.
A close-up view of extremely dark, fertile, nutrient-rich soil with several vibrant green plant shoots growing densely out of it.

Examples

El vino tiene un color rojo muy rico.

The wine has a very deep red color.

La zona costera es rica en biodiversidad.

The coastal area is rich in biodiversity.

Me gusta mucho el color azul oscuro, se ve muy rico.

I really like the dark blue color, it looks very rich (deep).

The preposition 'En'

This meaning almost always uses the preposition 'en' (in/with) to indicate what the thing is rich in: 'rico en vitaminas,' 'rico en petróleo.'

grave

GRAH-vehˈɡɾa.βe

adjectiveC1general
This word specifically refers to a low, deep sound or tone, such as a voice or music.
A storybook illustration of a large brass tuba instrument emitting wide, slow, visible sound waves, representing a low-pitched sound.

Examples

El contrabajo produce un sonido muy grave.

The double bass produces a very deep sound.

El cantante tiene una voz muy grave y potente.

The singer has a very deep and powerful voice.

Necesitas ajustar los tonos graves de los altavoces.

You need to adjust the low-pitched (bass) tones on the speakers.

Physical vs. Emotional Depth

The most common confusion is between 'hondo'/'profunda' (physical depth) and 'intenso'/'profunda' (emotional depth). While 'profunda' can sometimes bridge both, 'hondo' is almost exclusively physical, and 'intenso' is primarily emotional. Always consider if you're talking about a space or a feeling.

Related Translations

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