Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Strong in Spanish: Fuerte & Related Words
Fuerte · adjective · FWEHR-teh
Strong in Spanish is fuerte, one of the most versatile adjectives in the language. It describes physical power, emotional resilience, intense flavors, loud noises, and even strong opinions. Unlike English, fuerte does not change form for masculine or feminine; it only adds an s for plural: fuertes.
Fuerte is two syllables: FWEHR-teh. The fue diphthong glides quickly from f into the weh sound, and the final e is a soft, short eh.
Mi abuela es una mujer muy fuerte.
My grandmother is a very strong woman.
Strong in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for strong, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuerte | strong | FWEHR-teh | Default, widely understood |
| resistente | strong | resistant, sturdy, durable | |
| robusto | strong | robust, solidly built | |
| firme | strong | firm, steady, unwavering |
How Native Speakers Use Fuerte
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Physical strength
Necesitas ser fuerte para cargar esas cajas.
You need to be strong to carry those boxes.
Fuerte covers raw physical power and is the default translation for strong in a bodily sense.
Emotional or mental strength
Tienes que ser fuerte durante los momentos difíciles.
You have to be strong during tough times.
Fuerte applies to mental toughness and emotional resilience in the same way English uses strong.
Strong flavor or smell
Este café está muy fuerte, ¿le pongo más agua?
This coffee is really strong, should I add more water?
Spanish uses fuerte for intense flavors and smells, whereas English might also say bold or intense.
Sturdy or durable material
Compramos una mesa resistente para el patio.
We bought a sturdy table for the patio.
Resistente is preferred over fuerte when describing material durability or wear resistance.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Fuerte
Changing fuerte for gender
Incorrect: Ella es fuerta.
Correct: Ella es fuerte.
Fuerte is invariable for gender. It ends in -e and stays the same for both masculine and feminine subjects. Only the plural changes: fuertes.
Using fuerte for a strong person's build when you mean sturdy
Incorrect: Ese mueble es muy fuerte.
Correct: Ese mueble es muy resistente.
For furniture or materials, resistente (sturdy, durable) is more precise than fuerte. Fuerte can work but sounds like the table has physical strength rather than structural integrity.
Lock in Strong Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Fuerte used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Strong in Spanish
- How do you say strong in Spanish?
- Strong in Spanish is fuerte, used for physical strength, emotional resilience, intense flavors, and loud sounds. It does not change for masculine or feminine. Alternatives include resistente (sturdy), robusto (robust), and firme (firm).
- Does fuerte change for masculine and feminine?
- Fuerte stays the same regardless of gender because Spanish adjectives ending in -e are invariable: un chico fuerte, una chica fuerte. Fuerte ends in -e and is the same for both genders: un hombre fuerte, una mujer fuerte. It only changes in the plural: hombres fuertes, mujeres fuertes.
- How do you say strong coffee in Spanish?
- Strong coffee is café fuerte or café cargado. Cargado literally means loaded and is a very common way to describe a concentrated, strong brew in everyday Spanish.