One means many people know you, the other means many people like or choose you.
Adjective. Known by many people. Fame does not necessarily imply people like or approve of the person.
Einstein is one of the most famous scientists in history.
Einstein es uno de los científicos más famosos de la historia.
She became famous after winning the Nobel Prize.
Ella se hizo famosa después de ganar el Premio Nobel.
He is famous for being the first person on the moon.
Él es famoso por ser la primera persona en la luna.
Adjective. Liked or favored by many people. Implies appreciation, not just recognition.
Pop music is very popular among teenagers.
La música pop es muy popular entre los adolescentes.
Pizza is the most popular food in our school.
La pizza es la comida más popular en nuestra escuela.
She is very popular at school. Everyone likes her.
Ella es muy popular en la escuela. A todos les cae bien.
Common mistake
Using "famous" when you mean something is widely liked. Wrong: "Pizza is very famous." to mean many people enjoy it. (correct: Pizza is very popular.) "Famous" is recognition; "popular" is appreciation.
Trick to remember it
"Famous" = everyone knows who or what it is (recognition). "Popular" = everyone likes or prefers it (appreciation). A criminal can be "famous" without being "popular". A local dish can be "popular" in its city without being "famous" internationally.
Quick rule
Do people recognize it or know who it is? Use "famous". Do people like it, choose it, or enjoy it? Use "popular".
Did you know?
"Infamous" is NOT the opposite of "famous". "Infamous" means notoriously bad, famous for something negative (a crime, a scandal). The opposite of "famous" would be "unknown". And "notorious" is similar to "infamous": known for negative reasons.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
This restaurant is very _____ in the city. It is always full.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Leonardo da Vinci is _____ for painting the Mona Lisa.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Do people recognize it or know who it is? Use "famous". Do people like it, choose it, or enjoy it? Use "popular".
Using "famous" when you mean something is widely liked. Wrong: "Pizza is very famous." to mean many people enjoy it. (correct: Pizza is very popular.) "Famous" is recognition; "popular" is appreciation.
"Famous" = everyone knows who or what it is (recognition). "Popular" = everyone likes or prefers it (appreciation). A criminal can be "famous" without being "popular". A local dish can be "popular" in its city without being "famous" internationally.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy