Spanish word

genial

Pronunciation

IPA/xeˈnjal/

Meaning

  • adjectivegreat

Example

¡Eso es genial!

That's great!

Illustration for genial (great)

More examples

Ese peinado te queda genial.

That hairstyle looks great on you.

Core concept

A strikingly good idea, product, or result admired for creativity, quality, or usefulness.

Common phrases

  • me parece genial

    seems great

  • un plan genial

    a great plan

  • queda genial

    looks great

Similar words

fantástico: Strong emotional admiration for something exceptionally excellent or spectacular.
increíble: Astonishment at something so unusually good or extreme that it seems almost unbelievable.
estupendo: High satisfaction and joy about something very well done or pleasing.
maravilloso: Deep wonder and delight at something beautiful, sublime, or deeply moving.

Definition in Spanish

Que resulta admirable o sorprendente por su calidad, creatividad o utilidad; usado tanto como adjetivo calificativo como interjección de aprobación.

Word origin

The word derives from Latin genialis, related to genius 'innate spirit', and over time it came to praise things notable for creativity or quality.

Usage tips

  • The Spanish word genial is often used as an informal exclamation meaning 'great' and does not share the English sense 'friendly', while in formal contexts speakers prefer excelente or magnífico.

Other meanings

  • brilliantadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • genialidadbrilliancenoun
  • genialmentebrilliantlyadverb
  • genialísimofantasticadjective

Word lists with this word