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terrific and Spanish terrorífico
In English
terrific
wonderful / excellent
In Spanish
terrorífico
que da miedo
Spanish "terrorífico" means: terrifying
Why they get mixed up Spanish "terrorífico" and English "terrific" share the Latin root "terrere" (to cause terror). In English, "terrific" evolved to mean wonderful or excellent, completely losing the terror connotation. Terrifying in English is "terrifying."
If you want to say...
- terrificestupendo
- terrifyingaterrador o terrorífico
- scaryque da miedo
Examples
You did a terrific job!
¡Hiciste un trabajo estupendo!
We had a terrific time at the party.
La pasamos genial en la fiesta.
The new restaurant serves terrific pasta.
El nuevo restaurante sirve una pasta estupenda.
It's terrific news, congratulations!
¡Es una noticia estupenda, felicidades!
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: La fiesta fue terrorífica: nos divertimos mucho.
Correct: La fiesta fue estupenda: nos divertimos mucho.
Terrorífico means terrifying, not terrific. For great, use estupendo or fantástico.
Incorrect: Es una idea terrorífica, me encanta.
Correct: Es una idea estupenda, me encanta.
Use estupenda for a great idea.
Phrases you will hear
- a terrific ideauna idea estupenda
- You look terrific!¡Te ves estupendo!
- terrific newsnoticias estupendas
- a terrific timeun rato genial
- terrifyingaterrador
- scaryque da miedo
In a conversation
- A:
The movie was terrific!
¡La película fue estupenda!
- B:
Was it scary?
¿Daba miedo?
- A:
No, it wasn't terrifying. It was just great.
No, no era aterradora. Era simplemente genial.
- B:
Then I'll watch it. It looks terrific.
Entonces la veré. Se ve estupenda.
Test yourself
"A terrific idea" means...
To remember it
Terrific = wonderful/excellent (even though it sounds like "terror"). Terrifying (Spanish "terrorífico") = terrifying.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "terrorífico" mean?
Spanish "terrorífico" means "terrifying". It looks like the English "terrific", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "terrific" means "wonderful / excellent".
Does English "terrific" mean the same as Spanish "terrorífico"?
Spanish "terrorífico" and English "terrific" share the Latin root "terrere" (to cause terror). In English, "terrific" evolved to mean wonderful or excellent, completely losing the terror connotation. Terrifying in English is "terrifying."