Spanish offers a rich variety of terms to express the concept of the word big. Besides its Spanish translation, grande, other similar words emphasise not only the physical size of an object but also the broadness of different ideas.
Today, we will explore words with varying nuances and connotations, allowing you to expand your vocabulary for expressing size and significance. Whether you want to describe a vast landscape, a massive building, an immense problem, an important idea, or a voluminous object, knowing which term to use will enhance your Spanish communication and deepen your understanding of the language.
Grande
The direct translation for the adjective big is grande. It’s used to describe various aspects, including age, physical size, or the significance of something. You can use grande to describe an object, a person who is physically large or appears older, or to describe a large event. Figuratively, it can express the magnitude of something significant, such as a problem or situation.
Mi hermana y su marido tienen una casa grande en las afueras de la ciudad.
My sister and her husband have a big house on the outskirts of the city.
Gran
The word gran is a shortened form of the Spanish word grande and is typically used in front of a singular noun. It means big, large, great, or grand in English. Rather than focusing on physical size, gran implies greatness and conveys the importance, impact, or significance of an object or idea. It also expresses respect or admiration for the noun it describes.
Ella es una gran amiga que siempre está ahí cuando la necesito.
She is a great friend who is always there when I need her.
Enorme
Enorme is used to express that something is enormous or huge. It emphasises something’s impressive scale, such as the large physical size of an object, an animal, or something in nature such as a mountain. Enorme can also describe a strong emotional effect or impact, as well as a significant challenge or problem. Often, the word serves as an exaggeration or to suggest surprise or awe of something large.
El evento del sábado va a ser enorme.
Saturday’s event is going to be huge.
Gigante
The word gigante is the equivalent of giant in English and is used to talk about extremely large things. You can use it for very large animals, trees, buildings, festivals, waves, cities, and other objects. Gigante can also describe giant achievements and large gains. It too, can be used to exaggerate something’s size.
Las secuoyas gigantes me hicieron sentir muy pequeña.
The giant sequoia trees made me feel very small.
Tremendo
The word tremendo translates to tremendous in English but it’s not typically used with objects. Instead, it’s normally used informally to describe the intensity or degree of something. For example, you can use it to talk about growth, talent, effort, success, and changes.
Depending on the context, tremendo has a second meaning with a slight negative connotation. It describes something slightly terrible, a naughty or peculiar person, or something surprising.
La reunión con el equipo fue un tremendo éxito.
The meeting with the team was a tremendous success.
Masivo
The word masivo, translating to massive in English, describes very large objects in terms of weight or volume. It can also refer to the grand scale of events, such as weddings or festivals. Another area of use for masivo is to discuss the emotional, social, or financial impact of something.
La contaminación de los océanos es un problema masivo del cual se necesita hablar.
Ocean pollution is a massive problem that needs to be talked about.
Inmenso
Inmenso, meaning immense in English, emphasises the vast physical size of something, such as an object or a landscape like mountains and oceans. When describing landscapes, it typically conveys a sense of awe. Inmenso can also refer to large abstract concepts, including opportunities, challenges, knowledge, and emotional impacts.
El huracán dejó inmensos daños en toda la ciudad.
The hurricane left immense damage to the entire city.
Gigantesco
The word gigantesco is another word that emphasises the size of an object or something. It means gigantic in English and it’s often used to exaggerate size. It carries a connotation of surprise and amazement when spoken. It’s ideal for describing nature, such as mountains, trees, parks, and waves. Additionally, it can apply to abstract ideas such as problems, issues, changes, challenges, and goals.
Cogí una ola gigantesca mientras surfeaba.
I caught a gigantic wave while surfing.
Colosal
Colosal, meaning colossal in English, is yet another word to express the immense size of something, including abstract concepts like success and problems. Similar to gingantesco, this word evokes a sense of awe and amazement. Colosal can also be used to describe vast landscapes, such as mountains, as well as the the grand scale of monuments, buildings, and other objects.
El coliseo es una estructura antigua y colosal en Roma.
The Colosseum is an ancient and colossal structure in Rome.
Amplio
Amplio, meaning broad or wide in English, is used to discuss size in terms of physical space or expansive concepts. It can describe large and wide-open architectural spaces and geographical areas. Additionally, it describes broad ideas, topics, concepts, or knowledge. Amplio also conveys having an ample selection of something, such as movies and books, and it can describe extensive time periods or durations.
La casa tiene una hermosa sala amplia.
The house has a beautiful wide living room.
Extenso
Extenso is a word that also describes a large area or wide range. It means extensive in English and can also mean wide, similar to amplio. It describes geography, such as rivers, oceans, forests, and other natural features. Additionally, you can convey the broadness of various topics, research, problems, knowledge, options, written contracts, or documentation. Extenso can also be used to talk about timeframes, such as the amount of time it takes to complete a project or the timelapse of an investigation.
El informe contenía datos extensos acerca de la luna.
The report contained extensive data about the moon.
Voluminoso
Voluminoso, meaning voluminous in English, doesn’t directly translate as big, but instead refers to something that takes up a lot of space or something bulky. Items that can be described as bulky, or voluminoso, include furniture, clothing, equipment, or other large objects.
El sofá es voluminoso y ocupa mucho espacio en la sala.
The sofa is bulky and takes up a lot of space in the living room.
Abultado
Similar to voluminoso, the Spanish word abultado translates to bulky or puffy in English. It is used to describe items that are large due to their shape or thickness. For instance, abultado can refer to thick or puffy clothing, luggage or bags filled to capacity, or packages with an irregular, swollen shape. Additionally, it can describe furniture or other physical objects that appear large or inflated.
Su abrigo abultado era perfecto pare el clima frío.
His bulky coat was perfect for the cold weather.
