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"Grande" is an adjective which is often translated as "big", and "tercero" is an adjective which is often translated as "third". Learn more about the difference between "grande" and "tercero" below.
grande(
grahn
-
deh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (size)
3. (age)
b. older
La nueva profesora de inglés es una mujer grande.The new English teacher is an older woman.
c. big (especially when spoken to a child)
Ya eres grande, Anita. Te puedes atar los zapatos tú solita.You're big now, Anita. You can tie your shoes yourself.
4. (quantity)
a. large
Un gran número de personas se reunió en las calles para festejar.A large number of people gathered in the streets to celebrate.
5. (importance)
a. great
Es un asunto de gran importancia para la nación.It's a matter of great importance for the nation.
b. big
Los líderes del mundo se juntan hoy para discutir las grandes preguntas del cambio climático.The leaders of the world are meeting today to discuss the big questions associated with climate change.
6. (intensity)
7. (colloquial) (fantastic) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
8. (colloquial) (adult)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. grown-up (colloquial)
Hay una mesa para los grandes y otra para los niños.There's a table for the grown-ups and another one for the children.
a. big name
Nadal es uno de los más grandes del tenis mundial.Nadal is one of the biggest names in world tennis.
b. major player
La empresa de Petrini es una de las grandes del sector textil.Petrini's company is one of the major players in the textile industry.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. jackpot
Gómez se sacó la grande y se fue a vivir a Punta del Este.Gómez won the jackpot and moved to Punta del Este.
tercero(
tehr
-
seh
-
roh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. third
Por tercera vez, ¿puedes bajar el volumen de la música?For the third time, can you turn the music down?
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. third party
Publica un aviso para asegurarnos de que no afectemos a ningún tercero con este juicio.Publish a notice to make sure we don't affect any third party with this suit.
4. (arbitrator)
a. mediator
El contrato dicta que se solicite un tercero para resolver cualquier conflicto.The contract dictates that a mediator be requested to resolve any potential dispute.
b. arbitrator
El sindicato y la gerencia se trajeron un tercero para llegar a un acuerdo.The union and management brought in an arbitrator in order to reach an agreement.
a. go-between
Él usaba el limpiabotas como tercero para llevar notas a su amante.He used the shoeshine as a go-between to take notes to his lover.
b. matchmaker
Le encanta jugar el papel de tercero con sus amigos.He loves playing the role of matchmaker with his friends.
c. procurer (illicit activity)
Cuando Hugh se encuentra en Manchester, visita a su tercero favorito.Whenever Hugh is in Manchester, he visits his favorite procurer.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
