How to Say "wonderful" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “wonderful” is “maravilloso” — this is the most general and widely applicable translation for 'wonderful,' suitable for most positive situations and experiences.
maravilloso
mah-rah-bee-YO-somaɾaβiˈʎoso
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
Examples
¡Qué coche tan fantástico! Me encanta el color.
What a fantastic car! I love the color.
estupendo
ess-too-PEN-dohes.tuˈpen.do
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
Examples
La vista desde la montaña era realmente magnífica.
The view from the mountain was truly magnificent.
extraordinario
eks-trah-or-dih-NAH-ree-ohekstɾaoɾðiˈnaɾjo
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-sohfa.βuˈlo.so
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.)
asombrosa
ah-som-BRO-sahasomˈbɾosa
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').
formidable
for-mee-dah-blayfoɾmiˈdaβle
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'.
espléndido
Examples
Hoy hace un día espléndido para ir a la playa.
Today is a wonderful day to go to the beach.
deliciosa
deh-lee-see-OH-sahdeliˈsiosa
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).
grandioso
grahn-DYOH-sohɡɾanˈdjos.o
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
Examples
Pasamos una noche mágica bajo las estrellas.
We spent a magical/wonderful night under the stars.
admirable
ahd-mee-rah-blehaðmiˈɾable
Examples
Su dedicación al trabajo es admirable.
Her dedication to her work is admirable.
Tiene una paciencia admirable con sus estudiantes.
He has admirable patience with his students.
Es admirable cómo logró terminar la carrera bajo tanta presión.
It is admirable how she managed to finish the race under so much pressure.
One Form for All
This word ends in -e, which means it doesn't change to match a male or female noun. You use 'un hombre admirable' and 'una mujer admirable' exactly the same way.
Placement Matters
While you can put it before a noun for extra emphasis (e.g., 'su admirable paciencia'), it usually goes after the noun in normal conversation (e.g., 'una paciencia admirable').
Don't add an 'a' for women
Mistake: “La doctora es admirabla.”
Correction: La doctora es admirable. Words ending in -able stay the same for both genders.
divino
dee-VEE-nohdiˈβi.no
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.)
milagroso
mee-lah-groh-sohmilaˈɣɾoso
Examples
Fue una recuperación milagrosa después del accidente.
It was a miraculous recovery after the accident.
Esta crema milagrosa quitó todo el dolor.
This miracle cream took away all the pain.
Muchos peregrinos visitan el lugar por sus aguas milagrosas.
Many pilgrims visit the place for its miraculous waters.
Matching the Noun
This word changes its ending depending on what you are describing. Use 'milagroso' for masculine things (un remedio) and 'milagrosa' for feminine things (una cura).
Where to put it
In Spanish, this describing word almost always comes after the thing it describes. For example, say 'el agua milagrosa' instead of 'la milagrosa agua'.
Using the wrong word
Mistake: “Esa medicina es un milagroso.”
Correction: Esa medicina es milagrosa (adjective) or Es un milagro (noun). Use 'milagroso' to describe something, and 'milagro' to name the event itself.
General vs. Specific Praise
Related Translations
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