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Mi primo es poderoso.

Mi primo es poderoso.
My cousin is powerful.
FromLesson 13inHardcore Spanish (Spain)

Breakdown of Mi primo es poderoso.

ser
to be
mi
my
el primo
the cousin
poderoso
powerful

Questions & Answers about Mi primo es poderoso.

Why is the verb ser (es) used here instead of estar?
In Spanish, ser expresses inherent or permanent characteristics, while estar is for temporary states or locations. Saying Mi primo es poderoso describes a defining quality (he is powerful by nature or position). If you used estar, it would imply a temporary condition, which doesn’t fit with a stable attribute like power or influence.
Why isn’t there an article before poderoso?

When an adjective follows a verb like ser, it acts as a predicate adjective and doesn’t need an article.
• Mi primo es poderoso. = “My cousin is powerful.”
If you insert an article (un/una), you turn the adjective into a noun phrase:
• Mi primo es un poderoso. → “My cousin is a powerful person,” often implying membership in a power elite.

How does poderoso agree in gender and number?

Adjectives in Spanish must match the noun they describe:

  • Masculine singular: poderoso
  • Feminine singular: poderosa
  • Masculine plural: poderosos
  • Feminine plural: poderosas
    Example: Mis primas son poderosas. (“My cousins (female) are powerful.”)
Could I say Mi primo es un poderoso to mean the same thing?

You can, but it changes the nuance.

  • Mi primo es poderoso. emphasizes his quality of being powerful.
  • Mi primo es un poderoso. treats poderoso as a noun meaning “a powerful person,” often with the sense of a high-ranking official or someone in an elite group.
What’s the difference between poderoso and fuerte?

• Fuerte generally means “strong,” often referring to physical strength or intensity (e.g., una tormenta fuerte, “a strong storm”).
• Poderoso implies power, authority or influence—physical or abstract (e.g., un imperio poderoso, “a powerful empire”).

Can poderoso be used as a noun?

Yes. With an article, it becomes a noun referring to people who hold power:
• Los poderosos = “the powerful ones” or “those in power.”
As a standalone noun it always agrees in number and is typically plural to refer to a group.

How do you pronounce poderoso?

Break it into syllables: po-de-RO-so, with stress on RO.
Phonetic hints:

  • The d between vowels sounds softer ([ð]).
  • The single r in RO is a quick tap ([ɾ]).
    Approximate IPA: [po-ðe-ˈɾo-so].
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