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How to Say "endless" in Spanish

English → Spanish

interminable

in-tair-mee-NAH-blayinteɾmiˈnaβle

adjectiveB1general
Use this word when referring to something that feels excessively long, especially events or time, often implying boredom or tedium.
A very long, winding path that stretches over many hills and disappears into the horizon under a bright sky.

Examples

La cola para entrar al concierto era interminable.

The queue to enter the concert was endless.

La película fue interminable.

The movie was endless.

Tengo una lista interminable de tareas hoy.

I have a never-ending list of tasks today.

La espera en el hospital se hizo interminable.

The wait at the hospital felt like it would never end.

One Form for All

This word doesn't change based on whether the thing you are describing is masculine or feminine. You can say 'un libro interminable' or 'una película interminable'.

Emphasis through Placement

If you put this word BEFORE the noun (e.g., 'una interminable espera'), it sounds more poetic or emphasizes how annoyed or bored you are.

Gender Agreement

Mistake: “La clase fue interminabla.”

Correction: La clase fue interminable. Because it ends in 'e', it stays the same for both masculine and feminine words.

infinito

een-fee-nee-tohin.fi.ˈni.to

adjectiveA2general
Choose this word when describing something that is literally without end or limits, conceptually infinite, like space or numbers.
A vast, starlit night sky that stretches out forever over a calm, dark ocean.

Examples

Tiene una capacidad infinita para aprender.

He has an endless capacity for learning.

El espacio exterior parece ser infinito.

Outer space seems to be infinite.

Ella tiene una paciencia infinita con los niños.

She has infinite patience with children.

Matching the Noun

This word changes its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'infinito' for masculine things (el cielo) and 'infinita' for feminine things (la paciencia).

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “una paciencia infinito”

Correction: una paciencia infinita - because 'paciencia' is a feminine word, 'infinito' must change its ending to 'a'.

eterno

eh-TEHR-noheˈteɾno

adjectiveB2general
Use this when emphasizing a very long, seemingly unending duration, often with a sense of permanence or great significance, or a feeling of it dragging on.
A small, solitary figure standing at the beginning of an extremely long, straight, empty road that stretches into a misty distance, emphasizing vast duration.

Examples

Sentí que la espera fue eterna.

I felt like the wait was endless.

La reunión se hizo eterna, duró casi tres horas.

The meeting became endless; it lasted almost three hours.

Ese eterno problema de tráfico nunca se soluciona.

That constant traffic problem is never solved.

Mi hermana es la eterna optimista, siempre ve el lado bueno.

My sister is the eternal optimist; she always sees the bright side.

Emphasis Placement

When 'eterno' is used figuratively (meaning 'constant' or 'always present'), it often goes before the noun, like in 'el eterno dilema' (the constant dilemma).

Confusing 'Constant' and 'Forever'

Mistake: “Using 'eterno' when you just mean 'frequent' or 'long'.”

Correction: Use 'largo' (long) or 'frecuente' (frequent) unless you want the strong exaggeration 'eterno'.

Interminable vs. Infinito

Learners often confuse 'interminable' and 'infinito'. Remember that 'interminable' describes something that feels excessively long and tedious (like a boring movie), while 'infinito' refers to something that is truly boundless or limitless.

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