Inklingo

How to Say "wonderful" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “wonderful” is “maravilloso” — use this for a general, all-purpose translation of 'wonderful' that fits most situations and expresses general positive sentiment..

maravilloso🔊A2

Use this for a general, all-purpose translation of 'wonderful' that fits most situations and expresses general positive sentiment.

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fantásticoA1

Use this when you want to express strong enthusiasm or excitement about something, often implying it's imaginative or impressive.

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estupendo🔊B1

Use this to express high praise for an idea, plan, or situation, indicating it is excellent and highly commendable.

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magníficoB1

Use this to describe something of great quality, beauty, or that provides great pleasure, often used for views or performances.

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asombrosa🔊B1

Use this when something causes positive surprise or astonishment, emphasizing its impressive and awe-inspiring nature.

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espléndidoB1

This is ideal for describing pleasant weather or a highly enjoyable experience, conveying a sense of splendor and perfection.

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formidable🔊B1

Use this to express that something is impressive, excellent, or remarkably good, often used for news or achievements.

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deliciosa🔊B1

Use this to describe a pleasant experience or feeling, often associated with sensory enjoyment like food, company, or a relaxing time.

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extraordinario🔊A2

Use this for something that is beyond the ordinary, exceptional, or remarkably good, often applied to food or performances.

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fabuloso🔊A2

Use this to describe an experience, event, or object that is extremely good, impressive, or exciting.

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divino🔊A2

Use this informally to describe something of excellent quality or a delightful experience, often implying perfection or heavenly taste.

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grandioso🔊B1

Use this to describe something grand in scale or impressive in quality, often used for performances, achievements, or large-scale events.

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mágicoB1

Use this when an experience or moment feels enchanting, special, and almost unreal, like something out of a fairy tale.

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English → Spanish

maravilloso

/mah-rah-bee-YO-so//maɾaβiˈʎoso/

adjectiveA2general
Use this for a general, all-purpose translation of 'wonderful' that fits most situations and expresses general positive sentiment.
A small child stands on a green hill and looks up in amazement at a huge, perfectly formed, colorful rainbow filling the sky. The scene evokes a sense of wonder.

Examples

El viaje a la costa fue maravilloso.

The trip to the coast was wonderful.

Tienes un talento maravilloso para la música.

You have a marvelous talent for music.

La vista desde la montaña es maravillosa.

The view from the mountain is gorgeous.

Making it Match: Gender and Number

This word changes its ending to match the person or thing it's describing. Think of it like a chameleon! Use 'maravilloso' for masculine things and 'maravillosa' for feminine things. If you're talking about more than one, add an 's': 'maravillosos' or 'maravillosas'.

Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

Use 'ser maravilloso' for something that is always wonderful (its basic quality). For example, 'El arte es maravilloso' (Art is wonderful). Use 'estar maravilloso' for something that is wonderful right now (its current condition). For example, 'La cena está maravillosa' (The dinner is wonderful).

Forgetting to Change the Ending

Mistake: “La película es maravilloso.”

Correction: La película es maravillosa. Because 'película' (movie) is a feminine word, the ending of 'maravilloso' needs to change to '-a' to match it.

fantástico

adjectiveA1general
Use this when you want to express strong enthusiasm or excitement about something, often implying it's imaginative or impressive.

Examples

¡Qué coche tan fantástico! Me encanta el color.

What a fantastic car! I love the color.

estupendo

ess-too-PEN-doh/es.tuˈpen.do/

adjectiveB1general
Use this to express high praise for an idea, plan, or situation, indicating it is excellent and highly commendable.
A simple, cheerful cartoon figure jumping excitedly high into the air with arms outstretched, surrounded by sparkling golden stars, illustrating overwhelming praise and joy.

Examples

¡Tu idea es estupenda! Deberíamos implementarla de inmediato.

Your idea is wonderful! We should implement it immediately.

La comida estaba estupenda, especialmente el postre.

The food was superb, especially the dessert.

Tuvimos unos días estupendos en la costa, con mucho sol.

We had some excellent days on the coast, with lots of sun.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'estupendo' is an adjective, it must match the thing it describes. If the noun is feminine (la casa), use 'estupenda'. If it is plural (los libros), use 'estupendos'.

Forgetting Gender Change

Mistake: “La película fue estupendo.”

Correction: La película fue estupenda. (Since 'película' is feminine, the adjective must end in '-a').

magnífico

adjectiveB1general
Use this to describe something of great quality, beauty, or that provides great pleasure, often used for views or performances.

Examples

La vista desde la montaña era realmente magnífica.

The view from the mountain was truly magnificent.

asombrosa

ah-som-BRO-sah/asomˈbɾosa/

adjectiveB1general
Use this when something causes positive surprise or astonishment, emphasizing its impressive and awe-inspiring nature.
A small child looking up at a giant, glowing, colorful flower with wide eyes of wonder.

Examples

La vista desde la cima es asombrosa.

The view from the top is amazing.

Ella tiene una capacidad asombrosa para aprender idiomas.

She has an astonishing ability to learn languages.

Es una noticia asombrosa, no me lo esperaba.

It is amazing news, I wasn't expecting it.

Feminine Agreement

Since this word ends in 'a', you must use it with feminine nouns like 'la idea' or 'una mujer'. For masculine nouns, change it to 'asombroso'.

Asombrosa vs. Asombrada

Mistake: “Using 'asombrosa' to say you are surprised.”

Correction: Use 'asombrosa' for the thing that is amazing. Use 'asombrada' to describe a person feeling surprised (e.g., 'Estoy asombrada').

espléndido

adjectiveB1general
This is ideal for describing pleasant weather or a highly enjoyable experience, conveying a sense of splendor and perfection.

Examples

Hoy hace un día espléndido para ir a la playa.

Today is a wonderful day to go to the beach.

formidable

/for-mee-dah-blay//foɾmiˈdaβle/

adjectiveB1general
Use this to express that something is impressive, excellent, or remarkably good, often used for news or achievements.
A bright yellow sun with a happy face shining over a field of colorful blooming flowers.

Examples

¡Qué noticia más formidable!

What wonderful news!

Pasamos un día formidable en la playa.

We had a terrific day at the beach.

Eres un cocinero formidable.

You are a great cook.

One word for everyone

This word doesn't change for boys or girls! Whether you describe 'un hombre' or 'una mujer,' it is always 'formidable.'

Not always scary

Mistake: “Using it only for scary things because it looks like the English word 'formidable'.”

Correction: In Spanish, it is much more common to use it as a compliment to mean 'great' or 'wonderful'.

deliciosa

deh-lee-see-OH-sah/deliˈsiosa/

adjectiveB1general
Use this to describe a pleasant experience or feeling, often associated with sensory enjoyment like food, company, or a relaxing time.
A joyful child with closed eyes and a wide smile is swinging high on a playground swing set against a bright blue sky, illustrating a delightful experience.

Examples

Pasamos una tarde deliciosa en el parque, con el sol y la música.

We spent a delightful afternoon in the park, with the sun and the music.

Ella tiene una personalidad deliciosa; siempre hace reír a todos.

She has a charming personality; she always makes everyone laugh.

Figurative Use

While often used for taste, you can apply 'deliciosa' to abstract things like feelings or times of day (e.g., 'una siesta deliciosa' - a delightful nap).

extraordinario

/eks-trah-or-dih-NAH-ree-oh//ekstɾaoɾðiˈnaɾjo/

adjectiveA2general
Use this for something that is beyond the ordinary, exceptional, or remarkably good, often applied to food or performances.
A small, brightly colored bird standing on a wooden easel, holding a tiny paintbrush in its beak, carefully adding a final touch to a miniature, detailed landscape painting.

Examples

La cocinera preparó un postre extraordinario para la cena.

The cook prepared an extraordinary dessert for dinner.

Tienes una habilidad extraordinaria para resolver problemas difíciles.

You have an amazing ability to solve difficult problems.

Fue un concierto extraordinario; aplaudimos durante diez minutos.

It was a wonderful concert; we applauded for ten minutes.

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'extraordinario' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'extraordinario' (m. sing.), 'extraordinaria' (f. sing.), 'extraordinarios' (m. plural), and 'extraordinarias' (f. plural).

fabuloso

fah-boo-LOH-soh/fa.βuˈlo.so/

adjectiveA2general
Use this to describe an experience, event, or object that is extremely good, impressive, or exciting.
A happy child jumping enthusiastically next to an open treasure chest filled with sparkling gold coins and gems, showing great delight.

Examples

El concierto de anoche fue absolutamente fabuloso.

Last night's concert was absolutely fabulous.

Tienes una casa fabulosa, me encanta la decoración.

You have a fantastic house; I love the decoration.

Ella hizo un trabajo fabuloso en la presentación.

She did an amazing job on the presentation.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'fabuloso' is a describing word, its ending must match the gender and number of the thing it describes. Use -a for feminine words (una idea fabulosa) and -os/-as for plural words (los resultados fabulosos).

Forgetting Gender

Mistake: “La fiesta fue fabuloso.”

Correction: La fiesta fue fabulosa. (Because 'fiesta' is feminine, the adjective must end in -a.)

divino

dee-VEE-noh/diˈβi.no/

adjectiveA2informal
Use this informally to describe something of excellent quality or a delightful experience, often implying perfection or heavenly taste.
A single, perfectly ripe, shining red apple resting on a patch of bright green grass, symbolizing wonderful quality.

Examples

Ese pastel de chocolate está divino. ¡Tienes que probarlo!

That chocolate cake is heavenly/wonderful. You have to try it!

Tu nuevo corte de pelo es divino. Te queda muy bien.

Your new haircut is gorgeous. It suits you very well.

Pasamos un fin de semana divino en la playa.

We had a wonderful weekend at the beach.

Adjective Agreement

Remember that 'divino' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'divina' for feminine words (la casa divina) and 'divinos' or 'divinas' for plural words.

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: “El vestido está divina.”

Correction: El vestido está divino. (Since 'vestido' is masculine, the adjective must be masculine.)

grandioso

grahn-DYOH-soh/ɡɾanˈdjos.o/

adjectiveB1general
Use this to describe something grand in scale or impressive in quality, often used for performances, achievements, or large-scale events.
A magnificent, sprawling white castle with many tall towers standing majestically on a dramatic cliff overlooking a blue ocean.

Examples

La orquesta dio un concierto grandioso que duró tres horas.

The orchestra gave a magnificent concert that lasted three hours.

Hiciste un trabajo grandioso al organizar todo el evento.

You did a splendid job organizing the whole event.

Gender Match

As a descriptive word, 'grandioso' must match the gender of the noun it modifies. Use 'grandiosa' when describing a feminine noun (e.g., la idea grandiosa) and 'grandioso' for a masculine noun (e.g., el palacio grandioso).

Confusing Grande and Grandioso

Mistake: “Using 'grande' when you mean truly magnificent or superlative.”

Correction: 'Grande' means 'big' or 'great' in a general sense. 'Grandioso' means 'magnificent' or 'splendid,' suggesting a much higher level of quality or impact.

mágico

adjectiveB1general
Use this when an experience or moment feels enchanting, special, and almost unreal, like something out of a fairy tale.

Examples

Pasamos una noche mágica bajo las estrellas.

We spent a magical/wonderful night under the stars.

Choosing between general and specific 'wonderful'

The most common mistake is using a very specific word like 'asombrosa' (amazing/astonishing) when a more general term like 'maravilloso' or 'estupendo' would be more appropriate. Try to start with 'maravilloso' for general praise and use the more specific terms only when their precise meaning fits the context.

Related Translations

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