phantastisch
fantastic
A colloquial expression of enthusiasm; means something like great, excellent, or wonderful.
EXAMPLE
Das Konzert gestern Abend war einfach phantastisch!
The concert last night was simply fantastic!
phantastisch
fantastic
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
phantastisch
fantastic
Not real, but existing only in the imagination; fairy-tale-like or unreal.
EXAMPLE
Er erzählte eine phantastische Geschichte von Drachen und fernen Welten.
He told a fantastic story about dragons and distant worlds.
phantastisch
fantastic
Describing an extent that is so great or extreme that it is hard to believe.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen machte einen phantastischen Gewinn von mehreren Milliarden Euro.
The company made a fantastic profit of several billion euros.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'phantastisch' (fantastic) is derived from the noun 'die Phantasie' (imagination/fantasy). The basic meaning 'arising from the imagination' is still recognizable in all uses.
EXAMPLE
Kinder haben oft eine blühende Phantasie.
Children often have a vivid imagination.
Alternative spelling
Besides 'phantastisch', the spelling 'fantastisch' is also correct and very common. Both variants have the same meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Urlaub war fantastisch, wir hatten eine tolle Zeit.
The vacation was fantastic; we had a great time.
Distinguishing meanings
You can recognize the meaning from the context: As an expression of enthusiasm, it is a personal evaluation. In connection with stories or art, it means 'irreal' (unreal). In connection with numbers or amounts, it means 'unglaublich groß' (incredibly large).
EXAMPLE
Deine Idee ist phantastisch!
Your idea is fantastic!
Use as an exclamation
In colloquial speech, 'phantastisch' (fantastic) is often used on its own as an enthusiastic exclamation or as a response to express strong approval or joy.
EXAMPLE
Du hast die Prüfung bestanden? Phantastisch!
You passed the exam? Fantastic!
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'irreal' (unreal), the adjective is often combined with nouns from the field of fiction, for example 'phantastische Welten' (fantastic worlds), 'phantastische Geschichten' (fantastic stories), or 'phantastische Wesen' (fantastic beings).
EXAMPLE
Der Film entführt die Zuschauer in eine phantastische Welt voller Magie.
The film transports viewers into a fantastic world full of magic.
Compare with
phantastisch vs unglaublich
incredible
Unglaublich and phantastisch can describe an extraordinary performance. Unglaublich emphasizes that the result is almost impossible to believe and can have either a positive or negative effect depending on the context. Phantastisch, by contrast, is an unambiguously positive judgment and expresses enthusiasm.
phantastisch
Ihre Leistung im Finale war phantastisch, und das Publikum feierte sie begeistert.
Her performance in the final was fantastic, and the audience celebrated her enthusiastically.
unglaublich
Ihre Leistung im Finale war unglaublich, denn niemand hatte mit diesem Ergebnis gerechnet.
Her performance in the final was incredible because no one had expected this result.
In real life
Loading video examples...