Inklingo

How to Say "exceptional" in Spanish

English → Spanish
adjectiveA1general
Use 'especial' when referring to something that is better than average or needed for a particular purpose, often implying a specific requirement or distinction.

Examples

Necesitamos herramientas especiales para ese trabajo.

We need special tools for that job.

excepcional

/ex-sep-syo-NAL//eksepθjoˈnal/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'excepcional' to describe something of outstanding quality or performance, or when something constitutes a rare deviation from a norm or rule.
A shiny gold trophy standing on a velvet pedestal, glowing with bright sparkles.

Examples

Ella es una estudiante excepcional y siempre saca buenas notas.

She is an exceptional student and always gets good grades.

El servicio en el hotel fue excepcional.

The service at the hotel was outstanding.

Debido a la tormenta, tomamos la medida excepcional de cerrar la escuela.

Due to the storm, we took the unusual measure of closing the school.

Es un caso excepcional; normalmente no permitimos esto.

It is an exceptional case; normally we don't allow this.

One Form for Everyone

This word doesn't change based on whether you're describing a man or a woman. You can say 'el hombre excepcional' or 'la mujer excepcional' and the ending stays exactly the same.

Plural Form

To make this word plural, add '-es' to the end: 'casos excepcionales'.

Avoid adding an 'a'

Mistake: “una persona excepcionala”

Correction: una persona excepcional. Words ending in 'l' don't need an 'a' to be feminine.

único

adjectiveB1general
Use 'único' when you want to emphasize that something or someone is one-of-a-kind, standing out because there are no others like it.

Examples

Sus talentos son verdaderamente únicos; no hay otros como ellos.

Their talents are truly unique; there are no others like them.

Excepcional vs. Especial

Learners often confuse 'excepcional' and 'especial.' Remember that 'excepcional' usually implies outstanding quality or a deviation from the norm, while 'especial' means more than average or specifically needed for a purpose.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.