How to Say "potent" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “potent” is “potente” — use 'potente' when describing something that is strong or powerful in a general sense, often related to machinery, engines, or abstract forces..
potente
/po-TEN-teh//poˈtente/
Examples
Este coche tiene un motor muy potente.
This car has a very powerful engine.
Ella tiene una voz potente que se oye en toda la sala.
She has a powerful voice that can be heard in the whole room.
El médico me recetó un antibiótico muy potente.
The doctor prescribed a very potent antibiotic.
One Form for All
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'potente' ends in 'e'. This means it stays the same whether you are describing a masculine noun (el motor potente) or a feminine noun (la voz potente).
Emphasis Placement
When you put 'potente' after the noun, it's a factual description. If you put it before (un potente motor), it adds a poetic or dramatic emphasis to the strength.
Avoiding 'Potenta'
Mistake: “La máquina es potenta.”
Correction: La máquina es potente. (Adjectives ending in 'e' don't change to 'a' for feminine things.)
poderoso
poh-deh-ROH-soh/poðeˈɾoso/
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').
Potente vs. Poderoso
Related Translations
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