How to Say "strong" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “strong” is “fuerte” — use 'fuerte' for general physical strength, but also for strong tastes, smells, and emotional or mental fortitude.
fuerte
FWER-tehˈfweɾte
Examples
Mi hermano es muy fuerte, levanta pesas todos los días.
My brother is very strong, he lifts weights every day.
Necesitamos una cuerda más fuerte para escalar.
We need a stronger rope to climb.
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.
Same for Masculine & Feminine
Good news! 'Fuerte' doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. You say 'el hombre fuerte' (the strong man) and 'la mujer fuerte' (the strong woman). It only changes for plural: 'los hombres fuertes'.
'Ser' vs. 'Estar' Fuerte
Mistake: “Using 'ser' when you mean someone is looking physically fit right now.”
Correction: Use 'ser fuerte' for someone's general character or nature (He is a strong person). Use 'estar fuerte' to say someone is physically fit or looks muscular (Wow, you're looking strong!).
poderoso
poh-deh-ROH-sohpoðeˈɾoso
Examples
El presidente es un hombre muy poderoso en este país.
The president is a very powerful man in this country.
Las olas del océano eran poderosas después de la tormenta.
The ocean waves were mighty/powerful after the storm.
La empresa tecnológica se ha convertido en una fuerza poderosa en el mercado global.
The technology company has become a powerful force in the global market.
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.
Adjective Agreement
Remember that 'poderoso' must match the noun it describes in gender and number. Examples: 'mujer poderosa' (powerful woman), 'ejércitos poderosos' (powerful armies).
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').
Using 'poder' instead of 'poderoso'
Mistake: “La nación es mucho poder.”
Correction: La nación es muy poderosa. ('Poder' means 'power' or 'to be able to'; 'poderoso' is the description, the adjective.)
resistente
rreh-sees-TEHN-tehresisˈtente
Examples
Este juguete es de plástico muy resistente.
This toy is made of very strong plastic.
Necesito unos pantalones resistentes para trabajar en el jardín.
I need some tough pants for working in the garden.
El cristal de mi móvil es resistente a los golpes.
My phone's glass is shock-resistant.
One Form for Everyone
Unlike many Spanish words, 'resistente' doesn't change based on gender. You use it for both masculine words like 'el muro' (the wall) and feminine words like 'la mesa' (the table).
Positioning
In most cases, place 'resistente' right after the thing you are describing to sound most natural.
The 'A' Mistake
Mistake: “La tela es resistenta.”
Correction: La tela es resistente. Even though 'tela' is feminine, words ending in -e like 'resistente' don't change to an -a.
potente
po-TEN-tehpoˈtente
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.)
firmes
FEER-mesˈfiɾmes
Examples
Las bases de la estatua son muy firmes.
The bases of the statue are very firm (solid).
Se mantuvieron firmes en sus convicciones a pesar de la presión.
They remained resolute in their convictions despite the pressure.
¡Pongan los pies firmes! Vamos a empezar a marchar.
Put your feet steady! We are going to start marching.
Plural Adjective Agreement
Since 'firmes' is the plural form of the adjective 'firme,' it must be used with plural nouns, regardless of gender (e.g., 'los pilares firmes' or 'las ideas firmes').
cargado
kar-GAH-dohkaɾˈɣaðo
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.
intenso
een-TEHN-sohinˈtenso
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.
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'.
macho
MAH-chohˈmatʃo
Examples
Ese tornillo es más macho, aguantará más peso.
That screw is tougher, it will hold more weight.
Fue muy macho al enfrentarse solo al problema.
He was very brave/tough in facing the problem alone.
marcado
mar-KAH-dohmaɾˈkaðo
Examples
Tiene un acento gallego muy marcado.
He has a very strong Galician accent.
Su estilo de vestir es muy marcado y elegante.
Her style of dress is very distinct and elegant.
Después de tanto ejercicio, sus abdominales están muy marcados.
After so much exercise, his abs are very defined.
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'marcado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes in both gender (-o/-a) and number (singular/plural).
Forgetting Feminine/Plural Forms
Mistake: “La diferencia fue muy marcado.”
Correction: La diferencia fue muy marcada. (Because 'diferencia' is feminine.)
robusto
ro-BOOS-tohroˈβusto
Examples
El abuelo todavía es un hombre muy robusto.
Grandfather is still a very sturdy man.
Necesitamos una mesa robusta para el taller.
We need a sturdy table for the workshop.
A pesar de los problemas, la empresa mantiene un crecimiento robusto.
Despite the problems, the company maintains robust growth.
Este vino tinto tiene un sabor muy robusto.
This red wine has a very full-bodied flavor.
Matching Gender and Number
Remember to change the ending to match what you are describing. Use 'robusto' for masculine items, 'robusta' for feminine, and add an 's' for plural (robustos/robustas).
Positioning with the Verb 'Ser'
Since being 'robusto' is usually considered a lasting characteristic of a person or object, we almost always use it with the verb 'ser' (to be) rather than 'estar'.
Flavor descriptions
When describing flavors, 'robusto' is a more sophisticated word than just saying 'fuerte' (strong).
Don't confuse with 'fat'
Mistake: “Using 'robusto' to mean someone is overweight in a negative way.”
Correction: 'Robusto' implies health and strength. If you want to say someone is just 'heavy,' use 'gordo' or 'con sobrepeso.' 'Robusto' is more like 'well-built'.
sólido
SOH-lee-dohˈsolido
Examples
Ella tiene un argumento muy sólido.
She has a very solid argument.
Nuestra amistad es sólida y duradera.
Our friendship is solid and long-lasting.
Describing Ideas
Just like in English, you can use this word to describe things you can't touch, like a plan or a reason.
subido
soo-BEE-dohsuˈβiðo
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).
Fuerte vs. Poderoso vs. Resistente
Related Translations
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