How to Say "phenomenon" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “phenomenon” is “fenómeno” — use this word for a natural event, an observable occurrence, or something that is scientifically interesting.
English → Spanish
fenómeno
nounB1general
Use this word for a natural event, an observable occurrence, or something that is scientifically interesting.
Examples
El fenómeno de El Niño afecta el clima global.
The El Niño phenomenon affects the global climate.
efecto
eh-FEK-toheˈfekto
nounB2general
Choose this word when referring to the result or consequence of an action or cause, often in a scientific or technical context.
Examples
Necesitamos mejores efectos de sonido para la película.
We need better sound effects for the movie.
El telescopio detectó el efecto gravitacional.
The telescope detected the gravitational effect.
sensación
nounC1informal
Use this word to describe something that is very popular, exciting, or remarkable, creating a buzz.
Examples
El nuevo restaurante de tapas es la sensación del barrio.
The new tapas restaurant is the sensation (the big hit) of the neighborhood.
Fenómeno vs. Efecto
Learners often confuse 'fenómeno' and 'efecto'. Remember that 'fenómeno' describes the event itself (like a natural disaster), while 'efecto' describes the result or consequence of something (like the impact of that disaster).
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