Inklingo

How to Say "intense" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “intense” is “intenso” — use 'intenso' for a general, strong, or powerful quality, or for deeply felt emotions and strong opinions..

intenso🔊B1

Use 'intenso' for a general, strong, or powerful quality, or for deeply felt emotions and strong opinions.

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fuerte🔊A2

Use 'fuerte' to describe strong physical sensations like pain, as well as strong tastes or smells.

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extrema🔊B1

Use 'extrema' when referring to something that is at the highest possible degree or level, like a heatwave or a situation.

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feroz🔊B2

Use 'feroz' to describe extreme or very strong competition, or a very aggressive or wild quality.

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ardiente🔊C1

Use 'ardiente' to describe passionate emotions, desires, or intense gazes.

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poderoso🔊B1

Use 'poderoso' for an emotion or effect that is very strong, potent, or influential, often implying power.

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profunda🔊B1

Use 'profunda' for emotions or effects that are deep, serious, or greatly impactful.

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violento🔊B1

Use 'violento' to describe intense emotions, severe pain, or strong, destructive natural forces like wind or storms.

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cargado🔊B1

Use 'cargado' to describe a strong flavor, scent, or color that is concentrated or rich.

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subido🔊B1

Use 'subido' for colors or flavors that are intense, strong, or heightened.

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tremenda🔊B1

Use 'tremenda' to emphasize the size or degree of something, like a large crowd or a difficult situation.

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ardiendo🔊B1

Use 'ardiendo' to describe a burning sensation, often due to fever, or a very heated atmosphere.

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furioso🔊B2

Use 'furioso' to describe something wild, raging, or extremely fast, like a storm at sea or a very fast movement.

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vivido🔊B1

Use 'vivido' to describe someone who is experienced, worldly, or has lived a full life, implying a depth of experience.

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English → Spanish

intenso

een-TEHN-soh/inˈtenso/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'intenso' for a general, strong, or powerful quality, or for deeply felt emotions and strong opinions.
A close-up of a brilliant, highly saturated red and orange flame burning strongly and powerfully.

Examples

El calor este verano ha sido muy intenso.

The heat this summer has been very intense/strong.

Necesitas una luz más intensa para poder leer en la noche.

You need a more intense light to be able to read at night.

El entrenamiento de hoy fue realmente intenso.

Today's workout was really intense.

Ella tiene sentimientos muy intensos sobre la justicia social.

She has very intense feelings about social justice.

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'intenso' must change to match the thing it describes. If you talk about 'la lluvia' (feminine), you must say 'la lluvia intensa'.

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').

fuerte

/FWER-teh//ˈfweɾte/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'fuerte' to describe strong physical sensations like pain, as well as strong tastes or smells.
A simple illustration of a piece of very pungent cheese causing a person nearby to scrunch up their face in reaction to the strong smell or taste.

Examples

Este queso tiene un sabor muy fuerte.

This cheese has a very strong flavor.

La música está demasiado fuerte, no puedo oírte.

The music is too loud, I can't hear you.

Tengo un dolor de cabeza muy fuerte.

I have a very strong headache.

extrema

ex-TREH-mah/eksˈtɾema/

adjectiveB1General
Use 'extrema' when referring to something that is at the highest possible degree or level, like a heatwave or a situation.
A hiker standing on the peak of a very sharp, high mountain under a bright sun.

Examples

La ola de calor es extrema este verano.

The heatwave is extreme this summer.

Vive en una situación de pobreza extrema.

She lives in a situation of extreme poverty.

Tomó una medida extrema para solucionar el problema.

She took an extreme measure to solve the problem.

Matching with words

Since this word ends in '-a', it only describes feminine words. Use it for 'la situación' (the situation) or 'la medida' (the measure).

Using it with masculine words

Mistake: “el frío extrema”

Correction: el frío extremo. Adjectives must match the gender of the object they describe.

feroz

/feh-ROHS//feˈɾos/

adjectiveB2General
Use 'feroz' to describe extreme or very strong competition, or a very aggressive or wild quality.
A powerful storm with dark clouds and bright lightning striking the ground.

Examples

Hay una competencia feroz entre las dos empresas.

There is fierce competition between the two companies.

Sentí un dolor feroz en la espalda.

I felt an intense pain in my back.

ardiente

ar-DYEN-teh/aɾˈðjen.te/

adjectiveC1General
Use 'ardiente' to describe passionate emotions, desires, or intense gazes.
A simple, stylized red heart that appears to be glowing intensely and radiating warmth or passion.

Examples

Mostró un deseo ardiente de ganar la competencia.

He showed a passionate desire to win the competition.

Ella es una defensora ardiente de los derechos humanos.

She is a fervent/passionate defender of human rights.

Gender Invariable

This adjective always ends in '-e', meaning it describes both masculine nouns (deseo ardiente) and feminine nouns (pasión ardiente) without changing.

poderoso

poh-deh-ROH-soh/poðeˈɾoso/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'poderoso' for an emotion or effect that is very strong, potent, or influential, often implying power.
A tiny glowing green drop causing a massive, brightly colored cloud of vapor to erupt from a small beaker.

Examples

El pegamento que usó es tan poderoso que no puedo separar las piezas.

The glue he used is so strong/potent that I can't separate the pieces.

La medicina tiene un efecto poderoso contra el dolor de cabeza.

The medicine has a powerful/potent effect against the headache.

El orador tenía una voz poderosa que llenó todo el auditorio.

The speaker had a powerful voice that filled the entire auditorium.

Use with Non-Physical Strength

You can use 'poderoso' to describe things that have a strong impact on your senses or feelings, not just physical strength (e.g., a 'powerful argument' or a 'strong flavor').

profunda

pro-FÚN-da/pɾoˈfunda/

adjectiveB1General
Use 'profunda' for emotions or effects that are deep, serious, or greatly impactful.
A simple silhouette of a person sitting alone on a low grassy hill at night, gazing upward at a large, bright full moon, conveying a feeling of profound contemplation.

Examples

Sintió una alegría profunda al ver a su familia.

She felt a profound joy upon seeing her family.

Necesito una disculpa profunda por lo que pasó.

I need a sincere/profound apology for what happened.

Tuvo una noche de sueño profunda después del viaje.

She had a night of deep sleep after the trip.

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.

violento

bee-oh-LEHN-toh/bjoˈlento/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'violento' to describe intense emotions, severe pain, or strong, destructive natural forces like wind or storms.
A storybook illustration of a person's face showing extreme distress or intense emotion, surrounded by swirling red and orange colors.

Examples

Tuvimos que parar el coche por el viento violento.

We had to stop the car because of the fierce/intense wind.

Sufrió un dolor de cabeza violento después del accidente.

He suffered a severe headache after the accident.

La reacción del mercado fue violenta tras el anuncio.

The market's reaction was drastic/intense after the announcement.

Describing Force

When used for things like weather or physical sensations, 'violento' means 'very strong' or 'extreme,' emphasizing the power or suddenness of the event.

cargado

kar-GAH-doh/kaɾˈɣaðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'cargado' to describe a strong flavor, scent, or color that is concentrated or rich.
A small cup of extremely dark, rich coffee emitting thick, intense steam, symbolizing strong flavor.

Examples

Necesito un café bien cargado para empezar el día.

I need a really strong coffee to start the day.

El vestido tiene un color rojo muy cargado.

The dress has a very intense red color.

subido

soo-BEE-doh/suˈβiðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'subido' for colors or flavors that are intense, strong, or heightened.
A single, intensely vibrant crimson strawberry, highly saturated, isolated on a clean white background.

Examples

El diseñador usó un color verde subido para el fondo.

The designer used an intense green color for the background.

Los precios de la vivienda han estado muy subidos este año.

Housing prices have been very high this year.

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'subido' must match the noun it describes in gender (subida) and number (subidos/subidas).

tremenda

/treh-MEN-dah//tɾeˈmenda/

adjectiveB1General
Use 'tremenda' to emphasize the size or degree of something, like a large crowd or a difficult situation.
A tiny mouse standing next to an enormous, towering piece of cheese.

Examples

Había una fila tremenda para entrar al concierto.

There was a huge line to get into the concert.

Tengo una sed tremenda después de correr.

I have an intense thirst after running.

Matching Feminine Words

Because this word ends in 'a', you must use it with feminine nouns (words like 'la casa', 'la idea', or 'la mujer').

ardiendo

/ar-DYEN-doh//aɾˈðjen̪.do/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'ardiendo' to describe a burning sensation, often due to fever, or a very heated atmosphere.
A simple illustration of a person's face (or child's face) with rosy red cheeks and visible sweat droplets, conveying the feeling of having a high fever or being burning hot.

Examples

Tenía la frente ardiendo por la fiebre.

His forehead was burning hot from the fever.

Sus palabras estaban ardiendo de rabia.

His words were blazing with rage (were full of intense anger).

El sol estaba ardiendo al mediodía.

The sun was scorching (burning hot) at noon.

Describing Intensity

When used as an adjective, 'ardiendo' often emphasizes extreme heat or extreme emotion, acting like an intensifier for the noun it modifies.

furioso

/foo-ree-OH-so//fuˈɾjoso/

adjectiveB2General
Use 'furioso' to describe something wild, raging, or extremely fast, like a storm at sea or a very fast movement.
A simplified illustration of a violent, intense storm over the ocean, showing huge crashing waves and dark, swirling clouds.

Examples

El mar estaba furioso y nadie se atrevió a navegar.

The sea was fierce/raging and no one dared to sail.

Ganó la carrera con una velocidad furiosa.

He won the race with furious speed (great intensity/speed).

vivido

vee-VEE-doh/biˈβi.ðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'vivido' to describe someone who is experienced, worldly, or has lived a full life, implying a depth of experience.
A close-up illustration of a kind, elderly person with a serene expression, holding a sturdy wooden walking stick. They look wise and calm.

Examples

Mi abuela es una mujer muy vivida y tiene consejos para todo.

My grandmother is a very worldly woman and has advice for everything.

Se nota que ha sido un viaje vivido, ¡mira esas fotos!

You can tell it was an intense trip; look at those photos!

Changing Forms

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'vivido' must match the person or thing it describes in gender and number: 'un hombre vivido' (experienced man) but 'unas personas vividas' (experienced people).

Choosing between 'intenso' and 'fuerte'

Learners often confuse 'intenso' and 'fuerte'. Remember that 'fuerte' is typically used for direct physical sensations like pain, taste, or smell, while 'intenso' is more general for power, strength, or strong emotions.

Related Translations

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