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"Potente" is an adjective which is often translated as "powerful", and "poderoso" is an adjective which is also often translated as "powerful". Learn more about the difference between "potente" and "poderoso" below.
potente(
poh
-
tehn
-
teh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. powerful
Mi carro viejo no es lo suficientemente potente para subir esa loma.My old car isn't powerful enough to climb that hill.
b. strong
Su voz es tan potente que no necesita micrófono.Her voice is so strong that she doesn't need a microphone.
a. powerful
Hoy comienza la reunión de los gobernantes más potentes del planeta.The meeting of the most powerful rulers on the planet begins today.
a. virile
Ese actor me parece un hombre muy potente y sexy.I think that actor is a very virile and sexy man.
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poderoso(
poh
-
deh
-
roh
-
soh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. powerful
Ese detergente es muy poderoso; quita las manchas con una sola lavada.That detergent is really powerful. It removes stains with just one wash.
b. strong
Su niñez en Zimbabwe tuvo una influencia poderosa sobre su vida.His childhood in Zimbabwe had a powerful influence on his life.
a. powerful
No lo puedo vencer; ¡es demasiado poderoso!I can't beat him; he's too powerful!
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).
masculine or feminine noun
a. powerful person
Los poderosos a menudo se aprovechan de los pobres.Powerful people often take advantage of the poor.
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