How to Say "successful" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “successful” is “exitoso” — use this for someone or something that has achieved a desired outcome, like popularity, profit, or general success in a field.
exitoso
eh-hee-TOH-soheksiˈtoso
Examples
Ella es una abogada muy exitosa en Madrid.
She is a very successful lawyer in Madrid.
El lanzamiento del nuevo producto fue muy exitoso.
The launch of the new product was very successful.
Queremos tener un negocio exitoso.
We want to have a successful business.
Matching Gender and Number
This word changes its ending to match the person or thing you are describing. Use 'exitoso' for one male/masculine thing, 'exitosa' for one female/feminine thing, and add an 's' for plurals (exitosos/exitosas).
Using with 'Ser'
Since success is often seen as a characteristic or a lasting state, we almost always use the verb 'ser' (to be) instead of 'estar'.
The 'Exit' Confusion
Mistake: “Using 'exitoso' to mean someone is near an 'exit' (doorway).”
Correction: The word for a physical 'exit' is 'salida'. 'Exitoso' only refers to achievement and success.
ganadora
gah-nah-DOR-ahɡanaˈðoɾa
Examples
Tengo la carta ganadora.
I have the winning card.
Presentaron una propuesta ganadora.
They presented a winning proposal.
Describing Feminine Words
Use 'ganadora' to describe things that are grammatically feminine, like 'una idea' or 'una jugada'.
próspero
Examples
¡Te deseo un próspero Año Nuevo!
I wish you a prosperous New Year!
logrado
loh-GRAH-dohloˈɣɾaðo
Examples
Su última película fue un trabajo muy logrado.
His latest film was a very successful piece of work.
Es un empresario joven y muy logrado.
He is a young and very accomplished businessman.
La foto de la portada está muy lograda, tiene una luz perfecta.
The cover photo is very well-executed; it has perfect lighting.
Agreement is Key
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'logrado' must change its ending to match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun it describes: lograda, logrados, logradas.
Using it with Ser vs. Estar
Mistake: “La pintura está lograda.”
Correction: La pintura es lograda. (It is a successful work). 'Logrado' usually describes a stable quality or the nature of the achievement, so it commonly uses *ser*.
ganador
gah-nah-DORga.naˈðoɾ
Examples
Tienen un espíritu ganador que los impulsa.
They have a winning spirit that drives them.
Esta estrategia no es ganadora; necesitamos cambiarla.
This strategy is not a winning one; we need to change it.
El equipo visitante tuvo el tiro ganador en el último segundo.
The visiting team had the winning shot in the last second.
Agreement is Key
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'ganador' must match the thing it describes in both number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine). For example: 'estrategia ganadora' (feminine singular).
Positioning
Mistake: “Sometimes learners forget that adjectives often go after the noun: 'un ganador espíritu.'”
Correction: It usually sounds most natural after the noun: 'un espíritu ganador' (a winning spirit).
coronado
koh-roh-NAH-dohkoɾoˈnaðo
Examples
El rey fue coronado en la gran catedral.
The king was crowned in the great cathedral.
El monte está coronado por nubes blancas.
The mountain is topped by white clouds.
Su esfuerzo se vio coronado por el éxito.
His effort was crowned with success.
Matching Gender and Number
Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match what you are describing: 'coronado' for a boy/man, 'coronada' for a girl/woman, and add an 's' for plurals.
Ser vs. Estar with 'coronado'
Use 'ser' when talking about the event of being crowned (e.g., He was crowned yesterday) and 'estar' to describe the current state (e.g., He is currently wearing the crown).
Forgetting the 'A' for females
Mistake: “La reina fue coronado.”
Correction: La reina fue coronada. (Because 'reina' is feminine, the ending must change to -a).
Exitoso vs. Logrado
Related Translations
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