When you're looking to add a strong sense of dread or awe to your Spanish descriptions, "espantosamente" is a powerful adverb to use. It intensifies verbs and adjectives, conveying that something is happening or is in a way that evokes fright, terror, or even an extreme degree of something negative.
Think of it as a step beyond simply "very" or "extremely." For example, instead of just saying something is "muy malo" (very bad), saying it's "espantosamente malo" suggests a truly dreadful or terrible quality.
When we want to say that something is particularly bad, we can use the adverb espantosamente. This word literally means 'frighteningly' but is often used in a more general sense to mean 'terribly' or 'awfully'. For example, if a situation is really, really bad, you could say it's espantosamente mala.
You might hear it when people are describing how something went wrong, or how someone performed very poorly. It adds a strong negative emphasis to the verb or adjective it modifies. Think of it as a stronger way to say 'very bad' or 'extremely badly'.
Using adverbs like "espantosamente" at a C2 level involves understanding their nuanced placement and impact on a sentence's meaning and tone. It's not just about knowing the definition, but also appreciating how it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to convey a specific intensity or emotional coloring. At this advanced stage, you'd be expected to distinguish between synonyms and select the most precise adverb for a given context, often to express subtle shades of horror, intensity, or disapproval. This includes being able to use it in both literal descriptions and more figurative or emphatic expressions. Furthermore, C2 proficiency entails recognizing and producing sophisticated sentence structures where such adverbs contribute to a more complex and refined communication.
Alright, let's talk about espantosamente. This adverb is a fantastic way to add emphasis and express intensity in Spanish. It basically means 'frighteningly,' 'terribly,' or 'awfully.' Think of it as a stronger version of 'very' when you want to convey something negative or extreme.
§ Basic Placement of 'Espantosamente'
Like many adverbs in Spanish, espantosamente usually goes after the verb it modifies. It can also sometimes appear at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.
El examen fue espantosamente difícil. (The exam was frightfully difficult.)
Ella canta espantosamente bien. (She sings awfully well – meaning surprisingly/exceptionally well, in this context.)
§ Modifying Adjectives and Other Adverbs
You can use espantosamente to modify adjectives and even other adverbs, just like 'terribly' or 'awfully' in English.
El clima es espantosamente frío hoy. (The weather is terribly cold today.)
Conduce espantosamente rápido. (He drives awfully fast.)
§ Common Uses and Contexts
Here are some typical situations where you'll hear or use espantosamente:
- Describing negative situations: When something is bad to an extreme degree.
- Expressing surprise or shock: When something is unexpectedly intense, good or bad.
- Informal speech: It's often used in everyday conversation to add color and emphasis.
- DEFINITION
- Espantosamente (adverb) - Frighteningly; terribly; awfully.
§ Don't Overuse It
While espantosamente is a great word for emphasis, don't use it in every sentence. Vary your vocabulary. Sometimes, a simple muy (very) or demasiado (too much) will suffice. Save espantosamente for when you really want to make an impact with the intensity of your description.
El tráfico estaba espantosamente lento esta mañana. (The traffic was awfully slow this morning.)
Me siento espantosamente mal por lo que pasó. (I feel terribly bad about what happened.)
Practice using espantosamente in your own sentences. Pay attention to how native speakers use it, and you'll quickly get a feel for its nuances.
§ What Does 'Espantosamente' Mean?
- Spanish Word
- espantosamente
- Part of Speech
- adverb
- CEFR Level
- B1
- Definition
- Frighteningly; terribly; awfully.
You're learning Spanish, and you want to sound natural. That means knowing words like 'espantosamente.' It’s a powerful adverb that intensifies whatever verb or adjective it modifies. Think of it as a stronger way to say 'very' or 'extremely' when the context is negative or emphasizes something unsettling.
§ At Work: Describing Problems or Situations
In a professional setting, 'espantosamente' can be used to describe problems or conditions that are very bad or alarming. You might hear it in conversations about project failures, difficult market conditions, or even just a particularly bad day.
El informe financiero era espantosamente malo.
- The financial report was frighteningly bad. (Meaning: extremely bad, alarmingly bad)
El nuevo software funciona espantosamente lento.
- The new software works terribly slowly. (Meaning: unacceptably slow)
§ In School: Talking About Performance or Difficulties
At school, 'espantosamente' can describe academic performance, the difficulty of a subject, or even how a presentation went. It adds a strong emphasis to the negative aspect of something.
Mi examen fue espantosamente difícil.
- My exam was awfully difficult. (Meaning: extremely difficult, unexpectedly difficult)
Ella se sintió espantosamente nerviosa antes de su presentación.
- She felt terribly nervous before her presentation. (Meaning: extremely nervous)
§ In the News: Describing Serious Events
In news reports, 'espantosamente' is used to convey the gravity or severity of events. It's often reserved for situations that are genuinely shocking or tragic, emphasizing the negative impact.
La sequía ha afectado espantosamente la cosecha.
- The drought has terribly affected the harvest. (Meaning: had a severe, devastating impact)
El accidente fue espantosamente trágico.
- The accident was frighteningly tragic. (Meaning: extremely and shockingly tragic)
§ Don't Confuse it with "Espantoso"
Many learners, especially at the B1 level, tend to confuse the adverb "espantosamente" with its related adjective, "espantoso" (frightful, terrible, awful). While they come from the same root and share a similar meaning, their grammatical functions are different. Remember, "espantosamente" describes *how* something is done or *how* something is, modifying a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. "Espantoso" describes a noun.
Canta espantosamente mal. (He sings terribly badly.)
Here, "espantosamente" modifies "mal" (badly), another adverb, indicating the degree of badness in his singing. If you were to say "Canta espantoso," it would sound grammatically incorrect, as "espantoso" needs a noun to modify, or to be used as a predicate adjective with a verb like "ser" or "estar."
El monstruo era espantoso. (The monster was frightful/terrible.)
In this case, "espantoso" describes the noun "monstruo."
§ Overusing it for General Negativity
While "espantosamente" can mean "terribly" or "awfully," it carries a strong connotation of fear, dread, or extreme unpleasantness. It's not a general-purpose negative intensifier like "muy" (very) or "bastante" (quite/rather). Using it for things that are just 'a bit bad' or 'not very good' can sound overly dramatic or even a bit strange to native speakers.
- Incorrect Usage
- El café estaba espantosamente frío. (The coffee was frightfully cold. - Sounds a bit over-the-top unless it was an apocalyptic cold.)
- Better Alternatives
- El café estaba muy frío. (The coffee was very cold.)
El café estaba bastante frío. (The coffee was quite cold.)
Reserve "espantosamente" for situations where there's a genuine sense of dread, shock, or a truly extreme negative quality.
El accidente fue espantosamente grave. (The accident was terribly/frightfully serious.)
In this example, "grave" (serious) combined with "espantosamente" conveys the extreme severity and potentially frightening nature of the accident. This is an appropriate use because accidents can indeed be frightful.
§ Misplacing Adverbs
Like many adverbs in Spanish, "espantosamente" usually goes after the verb it modifies, or before the adjective/adverb it modifies. While there can be some flexibility, placing it incorrectly can make your sentence sound awkward or unclear. A common mistake is placing it before the verb when it should follow.
- Incorrect Placement
- Ella espantosamente gritó. (She frightfully screamed.)
- Correct Placement
- Ella gritó espantosamente. (She screamed frightfully.)
When modifying an adjective or another adverb, "espantosamente" typically precedes it.
Estaba espantosamente pálida. (She was terribly pale.)
Here, "espantosamente" modifies the adjective "pálida" (pale), indicating the extreme degree of paleness.
§ Not Understanding Its Emotional Weight
"Espantosamente" isn't just about intensity; it's also about the emotional impact. It implies a sense of fear, horror, or profound shock. Using it in contexts that lack this emotional weight can feel out of place. For instance, if you want to say something is "terribly good" in a positive way, "espantosamente" would be the wrong choice.
- Incorrect Usage
- La comida estaba espantosamente buena. (The food was frightfully good. - Sounds like it was good in a terrifying way, which is probably not what you mean.)
- Better Alternatives
- La comida estaba increíblemente buena. (The food was incredibly good.)
La comida estaba excepcionalmente buena. (The food was exceptionally good.)
Remember that words carry nuances beyond their direct translation. "Espantosamente" has a strong negative and fear-related undertone. Be mindful of this when choosing your adverbs.
Always consider the context and the precise meaning you want to convey.
If you're expressing general negativity or intensity without the element of fear or dread, opt for other adverbs like "muy," "extremadamente," or "terriblemente" (which, while similar, can sometimes be used in a slightly less intense, more general 'very bad' sense).
By being aware of these common pitfalls, you'll be able to use "espantosamente" more accurately and naturally in your Spanish conversations and writing. Keep practicing, and you'll master it!
How Formal Is It?
"La situación económica del país ha empeorado atrozmente. (The country's economic situation has worsened atrociously.)"
"El examen fue terriblemente difícil. (The exam was terribly difficult.)"
"Me siento fatal hoy. (I feel awful today.)"
"El monstruo es muy malvado. (The monster is very bad.)"
"El concierto estuvo de la patada. (The concert was awful.)"
Schwierigkeitsgrad
short
short
short
short
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Beispiele nach Niveau
La película fue espantosamente aburrida.
The movie was _______ boring.
Corrió espantosamente rápido.
He ran _______ fast.
El ruido era espantosamente fuerte.
The noise was _______ loud.
Ella canta espantosamente mal.
She sings _______ badly.
El examen fue espantosamente difícil.
The exam was _______ difficult.
Me sentí espantosamente cansado.
I felt _______ tired.
El payaso es espantosamente grande.
The clown is _______ big.
La comida estaba espantosamente fría.
The food was _______ cold.
La casa estaba espantosamente vacía.
The house was frighteningly empty.
Corrió espantosamente rápido.
He ran terribly fast.
El ruido era espantosamente fuerte.
The noise was awfully loud.
Estaba espantosamente cansado después del viaje.
I was terribly tired after the trip.
Cantó espantosamente mal.
She sang awfully bad.
El examen fue espantosamente difícil.
The exam was terribly difficult.
La tormenta fue espantosamente fuerte.
The storm was frighteningly strong.
La noticia fue espantosamente triste.
The news was awfully sad.
La situación en el país era espantosamente volátil, con protestas diarias en las calles.
The situation in the country was frighteningly volatile, with daily protests in the streets.
Here, 'espantosamente' modifies the adjective 'volátil' to intensify its meaning.
El nuevo estudiante se sentía espantosamente solo en su primer día de clases.
The new student felt terribly alone on his first day of classes.
'Espantosamente' modifies the adjective 'solo' emphasizing the intensity of the feeling.
La tormenta golpeó la costa espantosamente fuerte, causando daños significativos.
The storm hit the coast awfully hard, causing significant damage.
In this sentence, 'espantosamente' modifies the adverb 'fuerte', making the impact even more intense.
El tráfico en la ciudad era espantosamente denso, retrasando a todos por horas.
The traffic in the city was terribly dense, delaying everyone for hours.
Here, 'espantosamente' modifies the adjective 'denso', describing the severity of the traffic.
El examen final resultó ser espantosamente difícil, y muchos estudiantes reprobaron.
The final exam turned out to be awfully difficult, and many students failed.
'Espantosamente' modifies the adjective 'difícil', stressing the high level of difficulty.
La noticia de su despido fue espantosamente impactante para toda la oficina.
The news of his dismissal was frighteningly impactful for the entire office.
Here, 'espantosamente' modifies the adjective 'impactante' to convey a strong sense of shock.
Después de la cirugía, se sentía espantosamente débil y necesitaba mucho reposo.
After the surgery, he felt terribly weak and needed a lot of rest.
'Espantosamente' modifies the adjective 'débil', emphasizing the degree of weakness.
La economía del país ha crecido espantosamente lento en los últimos años.
The country's economy has grown awfully slowly in recent years.
In this sentence, 'espantosamente' modifies the adverb 'lento', highlighting the slow pace of growth.
La película era espantosamente larga y aburrida.
The movie was frighteningly long and boring.
Here, 'espantosamente' modifies the adjectives 'larga' and 'aburrida'.
Se sentía espantosamente solo después de que todos se fueron.
He felt terribly alone after everyone left.
Modifies the adjective 'solo'.
La situación económica del país es espantosamente compleja.
The country's economic situation is awfully complex.
Modifies the adjective 'compleja'.
El accidente fue espantosamente trágico, con muchas víctimas.
The accident was terribly tragic, with many victims.
Modifies the adjective 'trágico'.
Su voz sonaba espantosamente ronca por el resfriado.
Her voice sounded awfully hoarse due to the cold.
Modifies the adjective 'ronca'.
El examen resultó ser espantosamente difícil para todos los estudiantes.
The exam turned out to be frighteningly difficult for all the students.
Modifies the adjective 'difícil'.
El tráfico en la ciudad era espantosamente denso a esa hora.
The traffic in the city was awfully dense at that hour.
Modifies the adjective 'denso'.
Actuó espantosamente mal en la obra de teatro anoche.
He acted terribly badly in the play last night.
Modifies the adverb 'mal'.
La situación económica del país ha empeorado espantosamente en los últimos meses, generando una gran incertidumbre entre la población.
The country's economic situation has worsened frightfully in recent months, generating great uncertainty among the population.
Here, 'espantosamente' modifies the verb 'ha empeorado' (has worsened), emphasizing the extreme degree of deterioration.
La orquesta interpretó la sinfonía de una manera espantosamente bella, con una ejecución que conmovió a todos los presentes.
The orchestra performed the symphony in an awfully beautiful way, with an execution that moved everyone present.
In this context, 'espantosamente' is used to intensify 'bella' (beautiful), suggesting an overwhelming or breathtaking beauty.
Después de la cirugía, sentía un dolor espantosamente agudo que no se aliviaba con los analgésicos habituales.
After the surgery, I felt a terribly sharp pain that wasn't relieved by the usual painkillers.
'Espantosamente' modifies the adjective 'agudo' (sharp), highlighting the extreme intensity of the pain.
La película de terror era espantosamente predecible, con clichés que hacían que perdiera todo el interés rápidamente.
The horror movie was awfully predictable, with clichés that made me lose all interest quickly.
Here, 'espantosamente' modifies 'predecible' (predictable), indicating an undesirable and strong degree of predictability.
A pesar de las advertencias, el alpinista decidió escalar la montaña en condiciones meteorológicas espantosamente adversas.
Despite the warnings, the climber decided to ascend the mountain in frightfully adverse weather conditions.
'Espantosamente' modifies the adjective 'adversas' (adverse), emphasizing the severe and dangerous nature of the conditions.
El tráfico en la ciudad se ha vuelto espantosamente denso, lo que dificulta enormemente los desplazamientos diarios.
Traffic in the city has become terribly dense, which greatly hinders daily commutes.
This example uses 'espantosamente' to intensify 'denso' (dense), describing an extremely congested traffic situation.
Su discurso fue espantosamente largo y repetitivo, haciendo que la audiencia perdiera la atención antes de la mitad.
His speech was awfully long and repetitive, causing the audience to lose attention before the halfway point.
Here, 'espantosamente' modifies 'largo' (long), highlighting the excessive and undesirable length of the speech.
La calidad del servicio en el nuevo restaurante era espantosamente deficiente, lo que resultó en una experiencia muy decepcionante.
The quality of service at the new restaurant was terribly deficient, resulting in a very disappointing experience.
'Espantosamente' modifies 'deficiente' (deficient), emphasizing the very poor quality of the service.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
La película fue espantosamente aburrida.
The movie was frighteningly boring.
Su voz sonaba espantosamente baja.
Her voice sounded terribly low.
El examen fue espantosamente difícil.
The exam was awfully difficult.
Llegamos espantosamente tarde a la reunión.
We arrived frighteningly late to the meeting.
El coche es espantosamente caro.
The car is terribly expensive.
Ella canta espantosamente bien.
She sings awfully well.
El proyecto fue espantosamente complicado.
The project was frighteningly complicated.
Corrió espantosamente rápido.
He ran terribly fast.
El servicio fue espantosamente lento.
The service was awfully slow.
Me levanté espantosamente temprano hoy.
I got up frighteningly early today.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
While 'espantosamente' is an adverb, its related adjective 'espantoso' (frightening, terrible) is often confused with 'terrible'.
Similar to 'terrible', the adjective 'horroroso' (horrifying, awful) is easily mixed up with 'espantoso'.
The noun 'miedo' (fear) is connected to the concept of 'espantosamente' as it describes the feeling that something 'espantosamente' causes.
Grammatikmuster
Leicht verwechselbar
Both 'espantosamente' and 'terriblemente' can translate to 'terribly' or 'awfully' in English, leading to overlap in meaning.
'Espantosamente' often implies a sense of fright or shock, while 'terriblemente' can be used more broadly to mean 'extremely' or 'very much so,' not always with a negative connotation.
La película era espantosamente mala. (The movie was frighteningly bad.) vs. Estoy terriblemente cansado. (I am terribly tired.)
Similar to 'terriblemente', 'horriblemente' also translates to 'horribly' or 'awfully', causing confusion with 'espantosamente'.
'Espantosamente' focuses on the feeling of fear or shock it evokes. 'Horriblemente' emphasizes something being unpleasant or very bad, often with a stronger moral or aesthetic judgment.
El payaso era espantosamente maquillado. (The clown was frighteningly made up.) vs. Se comportó horriblemente en la fiesta. (He behaved horribly at the party.)
'Atrozmente' means 'atrociously' or 'dreadfully', which can be confused with the 'terribly' or 'awfully' meanings of 'espantosamente'.
'Espantosamente' suggests a reaction of fear or surprise. 'Atrozmente' is stronger, implying extreme cruelty, evil, or very poor quality.
La casa abandonada parecía espantosamente oscura. (The abandoned house looked frighteningly dark.) vs. Cometió un crimen atrozmente cruel. (He committed an atrociously cruel crime.)
'Pavorosamente' directly translates to 'dreadfully' or 'frightfully', making it very close in meaning to 'espantosamente'.
While very similar, 'pavorosamente' often implies a deeper, more intense dread or terror than 'espantosamente', which can sometimes just mean 'very' in a negative sense.
La tormenta rugía pavorosamente. (The storm roared dreadfully.) vs. El examen fue espantosamente difícil. (The exam was terribly difficult.)
'Alarmantemente' means 'alarmingly', which shares the idea of causing concern or fear, similar to 'espantosamente'.
'Espantosamente' leans more towards provoking a visceral fear or shock. 'Alarmantemente' is about raising a warning or concern, often due to a negative trend or situation.
El fantasma se movía espantosamente por el pasillo. (The ghost moved frighteningly through the hallway.) vs. Los niveles de contaminación están aumentando alarmantemente. (Pollution levels are increasing alarmingly.)
Satzmuster
Eso es (muy/tan) [adjective] espantosamente.
Eso es muy difícil espantosamente. (That is frighteningly difficult.)
Él/Ella [verb] espantosamente.
Ella canta espantosamente. (She sings terribly.)
Yo siento/me siento espantosamente [adjective].
Me siento espantosamente cansado. (I feel terribly tired.)
La situación es espantosamente [adjective].
La situación es espantosamente complicada. (The situation is awfully complicated.)
Hace un frío espantosamente [adjective].
Hace un frío espantosamente polar. (It's frightfully cold.)
[verb] espantosamente bien/mal.
Todo salió espantosamente mal. (Everything went terribly wrong.)
Estaba espantosamente [adjective] de [noun].
Estaba espantosamente orgulloso de su trabajo. (He was terribly proud of his work.)
Se veía espantosamente [adjective].
Se veía espantosamente pálido. (He looked awfully pale.)
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
So verwendest du es
Usage Notes for 'espantosamente'
'Espantosamente' is an adverb used to describe something that is done in a frightening, terrible, or awful manner. It's quite strong and implies a significant negative impact or intensity.
- Often describes something done extremely poorly:
- El equipo jugó espantosamente. (The team played terribly.)
- Can emphasize fear or terror:
- La tormenta rugía espantosamente. (The storm roared frighteningly.)
- Can also mean 'awfully' or 'dreadfully' in a general negative sense:
- Se sentía espantosamente solo. (He felt awfully lonely.)
- Think of it as a more intense version of 'terriblemente' or 'horriblemente'.
Common Mistakes with 'espantosamente'
- Overuse: Because it's a strong word, don't use it for minor negative situations. Reserve it for truly terrible or frightening instances.
- Confusing with 'espantoso' (adjective): Remember 'espantosamente' is an adverb (describes verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs), while 'espantoso' is an adjective (describes nouns).
- Incorrect: El monstruo era espantosamente. (The monster was frighteningly.)
- Correct: El monstruo era espantoso. (The monster was frightening/terrible.)
- Correct: El monstruo gritó espantosamente. (The monster screamed frighteningly.)
- Literal translation from English 'frighteningly good': In English, 'frighteningly good' can mean 'surprisingly good' or 'extremely good.' 'Espantosamente bien' (frighteningly well) in Spanish usually carries a more literal sense of 'terribly well' which might sound contradictory or ironic, rather than simply 'extremely well' without negative connotation. If you want to say 'extremely good' use words like 'excelentemente', 'extraordinariamente bien', or 'increíblemente bien'.
- Incorrect (for 'surprisingly good'): Cantó espantosamente bien. (He sang frighteningly well - implying it was so well it was almost scary, or perhaps even too good.)
- Better: Cantó increíblemente bien. (He sang incredibly well.)
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a GHOST saying, 'E-SPAN-TO-SA-MEN-TE!' as it scares you. Sounds frighteningly long, doesn't it?
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture a haunted house with a sign that says 'Espantosamente Spooky!' The ghosts inside are terribly scary.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Describe something that was 'espantosamente' in your day. For example: 'La película fue espantosamente aburrida.' (The movie was terribly boring.)
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Describing something scary or horrific.
- La película fue espantosamente buena.
- El monstruo era espantosamente grande.
- La historia era espantosamente detallada.
Talking about something that is terribly bad or of poor quality.
- La comida estaba espantosamente salada.
- Su actuación fue espantosamente mala.
- El servicio era espantosamente lento.
Expressing an extreme degree of something, often negative.
- Hacía un frío espantosamente helado.
- Ella estaba espantosamente cansada.
- La situación se volvió espantosamente complicada.
Referring to something that causes great fear or shock.
- El accidente fue espantosamente trágico.
- La noticia fue espantosamente impactante.
- Los gritos eran espantosamente fuertes.
Describing an unpleasant or intense sensory experience.
- El olor era espantosamente desagradable.
- El ruido era espantosamente irritante.
- La luz era espantosamente brillante.
Gesprächseinstiege
"¿Has visto alguna película que fuera espantosamente buena?"
"¿Qué es lo más espantosamente malo que te ha pasado esta semana?"
"¿Recuerdas alguna situación que se volvió espantosamente complicada?"
"¿Qué tipo de noticias encuentras espantosamente impactantes?"
"¿Hay algún sonido que te parezca espantosamente irritante?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe un momento en el que algo te pareció espantosamente grande.
Escribe sobre una experiencia donde la comida estaba espantosamente mala.
Relata una historia espantosamente detallada que conozcas.
Reflexiona sobre cómo te sentirías si estuvieras espantosamente cansado en una situación importante.
Imagina y describe una escena donde el olor fuera espantosamente desagradable.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenThe word 'espantosamente' is derived from 'espantar', which means 'to scare' or 'to frighten'. So, it literally means 'in a frightening manner' or 'scarily'.
No, 'espantosamente' is generally used to describe something negative or bad. It carries a strong connotation of fright, terribleness, or awfulness. For 'awfully good', you might say 'terriblemente bueno' or 'increíblemente bueno' depending on the context, but 'espantosamente' wouldn't fit.
Both can mean 'terribly' or 'awfully'. However, 'espantosamente' often implies a sense of fear or dread, or something that is shockingly bad. 'Terriblemente' is a bit more general and can be used for strong negative emphasis without necessarily implying fright. Think of 'espantosamente' as a stronger version of 'terriblemente' when it comes to fear.
While not a fixed idiom, you'll often hear it with verbs like 'llover' (to rain), 'caro' (expensive), or 'difícil' (difficult) to emphasize how bad something is. For example, 'Llovió espantosamente' (It rained terribly/awfully).
Some close synonyms include 'terriblemente' (terribly), 'horriblemente' (horribly), and 'atrozmente' (atrociously). The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
It's pronounced: es-pan-toh-sah-MEN-teh. Remember the 'o' is like the 'o' in 'go', and the 'a' is like the 'a' in 'father'.
Yes, it's a common and versatile adverb. You can use it in both formal and informal contexts to express the degree of something being frightful, terrible, or awful.
It's widely understood and used across all Spanish-speaking regions. You won't find it to be particularly regional. It's standard Spanish.
The adjective is 'espantoso' (masculine singular) or 'espantosa' (feminine singular), meaning 'frightful', 'terrible', or 'awful'. For example, 'una película espantosa' (an awful movie).
¡Hace espantosamente frío hoy! (It's frightfully/terribly cold today!) Here, it emphasizes just how cold it is.
Teste dich selbst 114 Fragen
Choose the best translation for 'espantosamente'.
The word 'espantosamente' means 'frighteningly', 'terribly', or 'awfully'.
Which word is an adverb?
'Espantosamente' ends in '-mente', which is a common ending for adverbs in Spanish.
The weather is very bad. How would you describe it?
'Espantosamente' describes something as terribly or awfully. In this context, 'mal tiempo' (bad weather) fits.
'Espantosamente' describes a noun.
'Espantosamente' is an adverb, so it describes verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, not nouns.
You can use 'espantosamente' to say something is 'very good'.
'Espantosamente' means 'frighteningly' or 'terribly', implying a negative or extreme degree, not 'very good'.
If something is 'frighteningly fast', you could say 'espantosamente rápido'.
'Rápido' means fast, and 'espantosamente' can modify adjectives to mean 'frighteningly' or 'terribly'.
The house is frighteningly large.
He sings terribly.
The exam was awfully difficult.
Read this aloud:
Hace espantosamente frío hoy.
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La comida estaba espantosamente mala.
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Corro espantosamente rápido.
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Imagine you see a very tall building. Describe it in one sentence using 'espantosamente' to say it's 'awfully' tall.
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Sample answer
El edificio es espantosamente alto.
You just heard a loud noise. Write a sentence saying the noise was 'terribly' loud using 'espantosamente'.
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Sample answer
El ruido fue espantosamente fuerte.
Describe a monster that is 'frighteningly' big. Use 'espantosamente' in your sentence.
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El monstruo es espantosamente grande.
¿Cómo corre el perro?
Read this passage:
El perro es muy grande. Corre espantosamente rápido en el parque. A los niños les gusta verlo jugar.
¿Cómo corre el perro?
The passage says 'Corre espantosamente rápido' (He runs frighteningly fast).
The passage says 'Corre espantosamente rápido' (He runs frighteningly fast).
¿Cómo es la temperatura hoy?
Read this passage:
Hoy hace mucho frío. La temperatura es espantosamente baja. Necesito un abrigo grande.
¿Cómo es la temperatura hoy?
The passage says 'La temperatura es espantosamente baja' (The temperature is terribly low).
The passage says 'La temperatura es espantosamente baja' (The temperature is terribly low).
¿Cómo fue la película?
Read this passage:
La película de terror fue espantosamente buena. Me dio mucho miedo. No pude dormir bien.
¿Cómo fue la película?
The passage states 'La película de terror fue espantosamente buena' (The horror movie was awfully good).
The passage states 'La película de terror fue espantosamente buena' (The horror movie was awfully good).
This sentence means 'She sings well.' The subject comes first, then the verb, then the adverb.
This sentence means 'He runs fast.' The subject comes first, then the verb, then the adverb.
This sentence means 'We speak Spanish.' The subject comes first, then the verb, then the object.
La película fue ___ buena que no pude dormir.
Here, 'espantosamente' is used to emphasize how good the movie was, meaning 'awfully good' or 'frighteningly good' in the sense of being extremely good. The other options don't convey the same level of intensity.
El examen de matemáticas fue ___ difícil para los estudiantes.
'Espantosamente' here means 'terribly difficult', highlighting the extreme difficulty of the exam. The other options do not fit the context of describing extreme difficulty.
Cuando vio el accidente, se sintió ___ mal.
In this context, 'espantosamente' describes the intensity of feeling bad, meaning 'terribly bad'. The other options don't convey this strong negative emotion.
El niño gritó ___ cuando vio el perro grande.
Here, 'espantosamente' means 'frighteningly' or 'terribly', emphasizing the intensity of the child's scream due to fear. The other options do not fit the context of a frightened scream.
La tormenta fue ___ fuerte y causó muchos daños.
Using 'espantosamente' describes the storm as 'terribly strong', indicating its destructive power. The other options don't convey the same level of severity.
El precio del coche era ___ caro para mi presupuesto.
'Espantosamente' here means 'frighteningly expensive' or 'terribly expensive', highlighting that the car was far too costly. The other options don't express this extreme cost.
Choose the best translation for 'espantosamente' in the following sentence: 'La película era espantosamente larga.'
'Espantosamente' often translates to 'terribly' or 'awfully' when describing something negative like a long movie.
Which word is an antonym (opposite) of 'espantosamente'?
If 'espantosamente' means 'frighteningly' or 'terribly', then 'maravillosamente' (wonderfully) is its opposite.
Complete the sentence: 'El examen fue _____ difícil.'
To say the exam was 'terribly difficult', 'espantosamente' is the correct choice.
You can use 'espantosamente' to describe something that is very beautiful.
'Espantosamente' carries a negative connotation, meaning 'frighteningly' or 'terribly', so it's not used for beautiful things.
The sentence 'Ella canta espantosamente bien' means 'She sings terribly well.'
While 'espantosamente' means 'terribly', in this context, it would mean 'frighteningly well' or 'amazingly well', not 'terribly well' in a bad way.
If something is 'espantosamente caro', it means it is very expensive.
'Espantosamente caro' literally means 'frighteningly expensive' or 'terribly expensive', indicating it costs a lot.
Imagine you went to a spooky house. Write two sentences describing something you saw that was 'frighteningly' ugly. Use 'espantosamente' in your description.
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Sample answer
La casa abandonada tenía una puerta espantosamente vieja. También vi una figura espantosamente fea en la ventana.
You are telling a friend about a bad dream you had. Describe one part of the dream where something went 'terribly' wrong. Use 'espantosamente' in your sentence.
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Sample answer
En mi sueño, el autobús llegó espantosamente tarde y perdí mi vuelo. Todo salió espantosamente mal.
Describe a time when you or someone you know felt 'awfully' tired after a long day. Write one sentence using 'espantosamente'.
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Sample answer
Después de trabajar todo el día, mi hermano estaba espantosamente cansado y solo quería dormir.
¿Cómo estaba el jardín del castillo?
Read this passage:
El castillo era muy antiguo. Las ventanas estaban rotas y el jardín estaba espantosamente descuidado. Nadie vivía allí hace muchos años. La gente del pueblo decía que estaba embrujado.
¿Cómo estaba el jardín del castillo?
The passage says 'el jardín estaba espantosamente descuidado', meaning the garden was terribly neglected.
The passage says 'el jardín estaba espantosamente descuidado', meaning the garden was terribly neglected.
¿Qué opinó la amiga de la banda?
Read this passage:
Mi amiga fue a un concierto anoche. Me dijo que la banda sonó espantosamente mal. Ella se fue temprano porque no pudo soportar el ruido. Fue una experiencia terrible para ella.
¿Qué opinó la amiga de la banda?
The passage states 'la banda sonó espantosamente mal', indicating the band sounded awfully bad.
The passage states 'la banda sonó espantosamente mal', indicating the band sounded awfully bad.
¿Cómo llovió ayer?
Read this passage:
Ayer llovió espantosamente fuerte durante toda la tarde. No pudimos salir a jugar al parque. El agua cubría las calles y había mucho viento. Fue un día muy malo para actividades al aire libre.
¿Cómo llovió ayer?
The text clearly says 'llovió espantosamente fuerte', meaning it rained terribly hard.
The text clearly says 'llovió espantosamente fuerte', meaning it rained terribly hard.
This sentence is a simple statement: 'She sings well.'
This sentence means 'I want water.'
This sentence means 'The dog runs fast.'
La película fue ___ mala; no pude terminar de verla.
Here, 'espantosamente' means 'terribly' or 'awfully', fitting the context of a very bad movie. It describes the degree of badness.
El examen de matemáticas fue ___ difícil para muchos estudiantes.
'Espantosamente' here conveys that the exam was 'frighteningly difficult', emphasizing the extreme level of difficulty.
Después del accidente, se veía ___ pálido y asustado.
In this sentence, 'espantosamente' means 'frighteningly' or 'terribly', describing an extreme state of paleness and fear.
El ladrón escapó ___ rápido de la escena del crimen.
Here, 'espantosamente' modifies 'rápido' to mean 'frighteningly fast', indicating an alarming speed.
El ruido de la explosión fue ___ fuerte que nos asustó a todos.
This usage of 'espantosamente' means 'frighteningly loud', highlighting the intensity of the noise.
Su actuación en el teatro fue ___ buena; el público aplaudió por mucho tiempo.
In this context, 'espantosamente' implies 'terribly good' or 'awfully good', conveying an exceptionally high quality of performance.
Choose the best translation for 'espantosamente' in the following sentence: 'La película era espantosamente larga.'
'Espantosamente' often translates to 'terribly' or 'awfully' when describing something negative like a long movie.
Which word is an antonym for 'espantosamente' when describing something good?
If 'espantosamente' means 'terribly' or 'awfully' in a negative sense, 'maravillosamente' (wonderfully) is a good opposite.
Select the sentence where 'espantosamente' is used correctly:
'Espantosamente' modifies an adjective or a verb to emphasize a negative quality or an extreme degree, like 'awfully big'.
The sentence 'El examen fue espantosamente fácil' means the exam was terribly easy.
Yes, 'espantosamente' can be used to emphasize an extreme degree, even if the adjective 'fácil' is positive, implying it was 'awfully easy' or 'frighteningly easy' perhaps unexpectedly so.
You can replace 'muy' with 'espantosamente' in all contexts to mean 'very'.
No, 'espantosamente' carries a strong negative or extreme connotation ('frighteningly', 'terribly', 'awfully'), whereas 'muy' simply means 'very' without such implications.
If something is 'espantosamente bueno', it means it is terribly bad.
No, 'espantosamente bueno' means 'frighteningly good' or 'awfully good', implying an extreme degree of goodness, not badness.
What kind of story did I hear?
How complicated is the situation?
How strong was the storm?
Read this aloud:
El tráfico era espantosamente lento esta mañana.
Focus: es-pan-to-sa-men-te
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Se comportó espantosamente mal en la fiesta.
Focus: es-pan-to-sa-men-te mal
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Read this aloud:
La noticia fue espantosamente inesperada.
Focus: es-pan-to-sa-men-te in-es-pe-ra-da
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The correct order forms the sentence 'The exam was frighteningly difficult.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'She sings terribly badly.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'The house was awfully dirty.'
Which sentence uses 'espantosamente' correctly?
'Espantosamente' means terribly or awfully, so it's used to describe something that is bad or very difficult, not something good like being fun or singing well. The sun shining isn't usually described as 'frighteningly'.
Choose the best synonym for 'espantosamente' in the context of 'La situación era espantosamente complicada.'
'Terriblemente' directly translates to terribly and fits the negative connotation of 'espantosamente' in this sentence. The other options have different meanings.
In which sentence does 'espantosamente' convey a sense of extreme negativity?
While eating fast or ending late can be negative, 'espantosamente sucia' implies an extreme and unpleasant level of dirtiness, aligning well with the 'awfully' or 'terribly' meaning of 'espantosamente'. Playing silently isn't typically negative in the same way.
You can use 'espantosamente' to describe something that is surprisingly good.
'Espantosamente' carries a negative connotation, meaning frighteningly, terribly, or awfully. It's not used to describe something surprisingly good.
If someone says 'Me siento espantosamente cansado,' it means they are extremely tired.
Yes, 'espantosamente' in this context emphasizes the degree of tiredness, meaning 'terribly' or 'awfully' tired.
The word 'espantosamente' is an adjective.
'Espantosamente' is an adverb, which modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It ends in '-mente', a common ending for adverbs in Spanish.
Describe a time you were terribly late for an important event. How did it feel? Use 'espantosamente' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Llegué espantosamente tarde a mi entrevista de trabajo. Me sentí muy avergonzado y nervioso. Pensé que había arruinado mis posibilidades por completo.
Imagine you are reviewing a movie that was 'awfully' bad. Write a short review expressing your strong disapproval, using 'espantosamente'.
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Sample answer
La película fue espantosamente aburrida. Los actores no tenían química y el guion era predecible. No la recomiendo en absoluto.
Write a short paragraph about something you find 'frighteningly' difficult to do or understand. Explain why.
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Sample answer
Para mí, la física cuántica es espantosamente difícil de entender. Los conceptos son muy abstractos y mi mente no puede procesarlos fácilmente.
¿Qué tipo de daño causó el huracán?
Read this passage:
El huracán que azotó la costa el mes pasado fue espantosamente destructivo. Las casas quedaron reducidas a escombros y la infraestructura de la ciudad sufrió daños irreparables. La recuperación será larga y costosa para todos los habitantes de la zona.
¿Qué tipo de daño causó el huracán?
El pasaje indica que 'Las casas quedaron reducidas a escombros y la infraestructura de la ciudad sufrió daños irreparables', lo que significa una destrucción generalizada.
El pasaje indica que 'Las casas quedaron reducidas a escombros y la infraestructura de la ciudad sufrió daños irreparables', lo que significa una destrucción generalizada.
¿Cómo se describe la asistencia al concierto?
Read this passage:
A pesar de que el concierto había sido espantosamente publicitado como el evento del año, la realidad fue muy diferente. Pocas personas asistieron y el sonido era tan malo que muchos se fueron antes de que terminara la primera canción. Fue una gran decepción para los fans.
¿Cómo se describe la asistencia al concierto?
El texto dice 'Pocas personas asistieron', lo que contradice la publicidad del evento.
El texto dice 'Pocas personas asistieron', lo que contradice la publicidad del evento.
¿Cuál es el principal problema económico mencionado en el pasaje?
Read this passage:
La situación económica del país se ha vuelto espantosamente complicada en los últimos meses. La inflación ha subido a niveles históricos y el desempleo sigue creciendo. Los ciudadanos están preocupados por su futuro y el gobierno busca soluciones urgentes para estabilizar la situación.
¿Cuál es el principal problema económico mencionado en el pasaje?
El pasaje menciona directamente que 'La inflación ha subido a niveles históricos y el desempleo sigue creciendo'.
El pasaje menciona directamente que 'La inflación ha subido a niveles históricos y el desempleo sigue creciendo'.
La situación económica del país ha empeorado ___ en los últimos meses, generando gran incertidumbre entre la población.
The context implies a significant and negative deterioration, so 'espantosamente' (frighteningly/terribly) is the most fitting adverb.
Aquel accidente fue ___ impactante; la magnitud de los daños materiales era indescriptible.
'Espantosamente' (frighteningly/awfully) emphasizes the extreme and negative impact of the accident, which aligns with the description of indescribable material damage.
La novela que leí anoche era ___ compleja, con una trama llena de giros inesperados y personajes ambiguos.
While 'curiosamente' could work in some contexts, 'espantosamente' (awfully/terribly) here conveys that the complexity was extreme, almost overwhelming, which fits with 'llena de giros inesperados y personajes ambiguos'.
El rendimiento del equipo en el último partido fue ___ bajo, lo que generó muchas críticas por parte de los aficionados.
The sentence indicates a very poor performance that led to many criticisms. 'Espantosamente' (awfully/terribly) accurately describes this extreme negative performance.
Después de la cirugía, se sentía ___ débil, apenas podía levantarse de la cama sin ayuda.
The phrase 'apenas podía levantarse de la cama sin ayuda' suggests an extreme degree of weakness. 'Espantosamente' (terribly/awfully) conveys this intensity more effectively than the other options.
El discurso del político fue ___ aburrido, tanto que la mitad de la audiencia se quedó dormida.
The consequence ('la mitad de la audiencia se quedó dormida') indicates an extreme level of boredom. 'Espantosamente' (awfully/terribly) is the most suitable adverb to express this extreme degree.
This sentence describes how the economic situation has worsened terribly.
This sentence indicates that the news covered the accident in a frighteningly detailed manner.
Here, 'espantosamente' emphasizes the intensity of feeling nervous after a horror movie.
The situation in the war zone was frighteningly precarious.
The noise of the explosion was terribly deafening.
He felt awfully alone after his family left.
Read this aloud:
La película que vimos anoche fue espantosamente aburrida.
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Read this aloud:
El examen resultó ser espantosamente difícil para todos.
Focus: di-fí-cil
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Read this aloud:
La noticia de su accidente fue espantosamente impactante.
Focus: im-pac-tan-te
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Describe a moment when you felt an overwhelming sense of dread or fear, using the adverb 'espantosamente' to convey the intensity of the feeling. Focus on the impact of this feeling on your actions or thoughts.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
En la oscuridad de la noche, el viento aullaba espantosamente, haciendo que cada sombra pareciera cobrar vida. Sentía un terror tan profundo que mis manos temblaban incontrolablemente y mi mente no podía formar un pensamiento coherente. La sensación de ser observado era espantosamente real, a pesar de que sabía que estaba solo en la casa. Este miedo me paralizó, impidiéndome moverme o incluso encender una luz.
Imagine a situation where something goes incredibly wrong or terribly awry. Write a short paragraph describing the disastrous outcome, making sure to use 'espantosamente' to emphasize the severity of the failure.
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Sample answer
El experimento científico, que prometía ser un avance, salió espantosamente mal. Los cálculos iniciales eran defectuosos, y la reacción química incontrolada provocó una explosión que destruyó por completo el laboratorio. Las consecuencias fueron espantosamente graves, con daños materiales incalculables y la pérdida de años de investigación. Nadie anticipó que algo tan prometedor pudiera terminar de una manera tan desastrosa.
Reflect on a time when someone behaved in a shockingly bad or terribly inappropriate manner. Describe the person's actions and your reaction, incorporating 'espantosamente' to highlight the extreme nature of their behavior.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Durante la reunión, su comentario fue espantosamente fuera de lugar, ofendiendo a la mayoría de los presentes. La manera en que ignoró las normas básicas de respeto fue espantosamente ruda, y su desinterés por las opiniones de los demás era evidente. Me quedé sin palabras, incapaz de creer que alguien pudiera comportarse de una manera tan desconsiderada. Su actitud era espantosamente irrespetuosa, y el ambiente se volvió tenso y silencioso después de sus palabras.
¿Qué efecto tuvo el frío del invierno en los soldados, según la narración del anciano?
Read this passage:
El anciano, con su rostro surcado por el tiempo y sus ojos que habían visto incontables inviernos, narraba historias de la guerra. Hablaba de cómo el hambre había asolado el pueblo, de cómo las casas habían sido destruidas, y de cómo el frío del invierno se sentía espantosamente en los huesos de los soldados. Su voz, aunque débil, transmitía la cruda realidad de aquellos días, haciendo que los oyentes sintieran el peso de su sufrimiento.
¿Qué efecto tuvo el frío del invierno en los soldados, según la narración del anciano?
El pasaje indica claramente que el frío del invierno 'se sentía espantosamente en los huesos de los soldados', lo que implica un gran sufrimiento y dolor. 'Espantosamente' refuerza la intensidad y la negatividad de esta sensación.
El pasaje indica claramente que el frío del invierno 'se sentía espantosamente en los huesos de los soldados', lo que implica un gran sufrimiento y dolor. 'Espantosamente' refuerza la intensidad y la negatividad de esta sensación.
¿Cómo se describió la nueva novela en la crítica literaria?
Read this passage:
La crítica literaria describió la nueva novela como un fracaso espantosamente pretencioso. Argumentó que el autor intentó crear una obra maestra filosófica, pero solo logró una narrativa confusa y sin sentido. Los personajes carecían de profundidad, y los diálogos eran forzados y poco realistas. En resumen, la obra fue percibida como un intento fallido de alcanzar una grandeza que estaba espantosamente lejos de su alcance.
¿Cómo se describió la nueva novela en la crítica literaria?
La crítica la describe como 'un fracaso espantosamente pretencioso' y 'una narrativa confusa y sin sentido', lo que directamente apoya esta opción. Las otras opciones contradicen la crítica mencionada.
La crítica la describe como 'un fracaso espantosamente pretencioso' y 'una narrativa confusa y sin sentido', lo que directamente apoya esta opción. Las otras opciones contradicen la crítica mencionada.
¿Qué decisión tomó el capitán del barco a pesar de la advertencia meteorológica?
Read this passage:
A pesar de la advertencia del meteorólogo sobre una tormenta inminente, el capitán del barco decidió zarpar. Pocas horas después, el mar se volvió espantosamente agitado, con olas gigantes que amenazaban con volcar la embarcación. La tripulación luchó valientemente contra la furia de la naturaleza, pero el destino del barco parecía sellado por la temeraria decisión del capitán. El rugido del viento era espantosamente ensordecedor.
¿Qué decisión tomó el capitán del barco a pesar de la advertencia meteorológica?
El pasaje dice: 'A pesar de la advertencia del meteorólogo sobre una tormenta inminente, el capitán del barco decidió zarpar.' Esto indica que ignoró la advertencia y procedió a zarpar.
El pasaje dice: 'A pesar de la advertencia del meteorólogo sobre una tormenta inminente, el capitán del barco decidió zarpar.' Esto indica que ignoró la advertencia y procedió a zarpar.
This sentence describes a very complex economic situation. 'Espantosamente' intensifies 'complicada', highlighting the severity.
Here, 'espantosamente' emphasizes how unexpected the results were, suggesting a significant surprise or even shock.
This sentence uses 'espantosamente' to strongly express how poor the service quality is, contrasting it with the restaurant's reputation.
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Beispiel
La película era espantosamente mala.
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr emotions Wörter
a diferencia de
B1Unlike; in contrast to.
abatido
B1Feeling or showing great sadness or discouragement; dejected.
abatimiento
B2State of being low in spirits; dejection or depression.
abatir
B1To make someone feel dejected or disheartened.
abierto/a de mente
B2Open-minded; willing to consider new ideas; unprejudiced.
aborrecer
B1To regard with disgust and hatred; to loathe.
abrazar
A1To put one's arms around someone as a sign of affection.
abrazo
A1An act of holding someone closely in one's arms; a hug.
abrumador
B1Overpowering; very great or intense.
abrumar
B1To overwhelm (someone) with a large amount of something.
