Spanish word

fatal

Pronunciation

IPA/faˈtal/

Meaning

  • adjectiveterrible

Example

Hoy me siento fatal.

I feel terrible today.

Illustration for fatal (terrible)

More examples

Tras el accidente, hubo una consecuencia fatal.

After the accident, there was a fatal outcome.

Core concept

Harm so severe that it can lead to death.

Common phrases

  • sentirse fatal

    feel terrible

  • diagnóstico fatal

    fatal diagnosis

Similar words

terrible: Broadly very bad or severe, a general negative descriptor for things or situations.
horrible: Deeply disturbing and nauseating, triggering feelings of horror or revulsion.
pésimo: Very poor in result or quality, used to evaluate performance or outcomes negatively.
espantoso: Startlingly bad, provoking surprise or fear because of its severity.

Definition in Spanish

Que ocasiona daños muy graves o la muerte; en contextos informales, se emplea para enfatizar que algo es lo peor o que alguien se siente pésimo.

Word origin

Derived from Latin fātālis meaning 'relating to fate', the adjective kept a deadly sense and over time broadened in everyday Spanish to emphasize extreme badness.

Usage tips

  • Fatal commonly appears with estar (estoy fatal) to say someone feels very ill or miserable, so it often translates as 'awful' rather than carrying the English sense 'causing death'.

Other meanings

  • fataladjective

Opposites

Related words

  • fatalidadfatalitynoun
  • fatalmentefatallyadverb

Word lists with this word