How to Say "fancy" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “fancy” is “fantasía” — use 'fantasía' when 'fancy' refers to a sudden, often impulsive, desire or whim to do or buy something, without much planning..
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fantasía
nounC1
Use 'fantasía' when 'fancy' refers to a sudden, often impulsive, desire or whim to do or buy something, without much planning.
Examples
Se me antojó una fantasía de comer chocolate.
I had a sudden craving for chocolate.
fino
/fee-noh//ˈfino/
adjectiveB1
Use 'fino' when 'fancy' describes someone or something as being elegant, refined, or of high social standing and good taste.
Examples
El hotel tenía una decoración muy fina.
The hotel had very fancy decoration.
Es una persona de modales muy finos.
He is a person of very refined manners.
Esta es una joya de oro fino.
This is a piece of jewelry made of fine gold.
Describing Quality
When 'fino' comes after a noun, it usually emphasizes the high quality or purity of the material.
Whim vs. Refined Manners
The most common mistake is confusing 'fantasía' (a whim or impulse) with 'fino' (elegance or social status). Remember, 'fantasía' is about a fleeting desire, while 'fino' describes enduring quality or refinement.
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