Meaning
Expresses extreme astonishment or disapproval at something incredible or brutal.
Cultural Background
In Spain, it's very common to hear this in bars during football matches. It's almost a mandatory reaction to a good goal. Argentines use 'bestial' and 'bestialidad' frequently. A 'bestia' can be a compliment for someone very talented at something. While understood, Mexicans might more frequently use '¡Qué bárbaro!' or '¡Está cañón!' for similar levels of shock. In Colombia, '¡Qué berraquera!' is a common local alternative for positive amazement, though 'bestialidad' is still used for scale.
Use it for emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, use this instead of 'muy grande' or 'muy caro.'
Watch your tone
A smile makes it a compliment; a frown makes it a complaint.
Meaning
Expresses extreme astonishment or disapproval at something incredible or brutal.
Use it for emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, use this instead of 'muy grande' or 'muy caro.'
Watch your tone
A smile makes it a compliment; a frown makes it a complaint.
Regional variations
In Spain, it's very common. In Latin America, you might hear '¡Qué bárbaro!' more often, but everyone will understand you.
Test Yourself
Complete the exclamation to react to a massive traffic jam.
¡Qué ________ de tráfico! No nos movemos.
We need the noun 'bestialidad' after 'Qué' in this exclamatory structure.
Match the reaction to the situation.
Situation: You see a 1kg burger.
The context is food, so 'comida' is the correct noun to link with 'bestialidad de'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
This follows the '¡Qué + noun + de + noun!' pattern correctly.
Fill in the missing line in this conversation.
A: He pagado 50 euros por dos entradas de cine. B: ________. ¡Es carísimo!
'¡Qué bestialidad!' is the standard exclamation for an outrageous price.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say ¡Qué bestialidad!
Size
- • Buildings
- • Food portions
- • Crowds
Price
- • Bills
- • Luxury items
- • Rent
Skill
- • Goals
- • Music solos
- • Records
Nature
- • Heatwaves
- • Storms
- • Mountains
Practice Bank
4 exercises¡Qué ________ de tráfico! No nos movemos.
We need the noun 'bestialidad' after 'Qué' in this exclamatory structure.
Situation: You see a 1kg burger.
The context is food, so 'comida' is the correct noun to link with 'bestialidad de'.
Choose the correct option:
This follows the '¡Qué + noun + de + noun!' pattern correctly.
A: He pagado 50 euros por dos entradas de cine. B: ________. ¡Es carísimo!
'¡Qué bestialidad!' is the standard exclamation for an outrageous price.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsNo, it is not a swear word. It is a strong intensifier, but it's safe to use in most social situations.
Not really. It implies scale or intensity. For something small and beautiful, use 'precioso' or 'una maravilla.'
'Bestial' is the adjective (Es bestial), and 'bestialidad' is the noun (¡Qué bestialidad!).
Yes, but it's slightly more frequent in Spain and Argentina than in Mexico or Colombia.
It's better to say 'Es una bestia' for a person. '¡Qué bestialidad!' usually describes an action or a thing.
Yes, 'brutal' is a very close synonym and is also used as an exclamation: '¡Brutal!'
No, it's too colloquial. Use 'excesivo' or 'sorprendente' instead.
Related Phrases
¡Qué barbaridad!
similarWhat an atrocity/outrage!
¡Qué pasada!
similarThat's amazing!
¡Qué animalada!
synonymWhat a beastly act!
¡Qué locura!
similarWhat madness!
¡Qué fuerte!
similarThat's intense/shocking!
