era un gran

was a great

→ ser

phrase Uncommon #22,801

was a great Used before a masculine singular noun; gran is the shortened form of grande before a noun. Depending on context, it can mean “was a great” or “was a big.”

SP: Mi abuelo era un gran cocinero.

EN: My grandfather was a great cook.

Ya que él era un gran músico.

Because he was a great musician.

Era un gran tipo.

He was a great guy.

Vivaldi era un gran músico.

Vivaldi was a great musician.

— Mañana empieza todo (2016)

Su papá era un gran fan de Louis L'Amour.

Her dad was a big fan of Louis L'Amour.

— Hunting Season (2025)

Tomás era un gran compañero de equipo.

Tomás was a great teammate.

Mi padre era un gran mujeriego.

My father was a notorious womanizer.

— Lazzaro feliz (2018)

Parece que Tom era un gran atleta.

It seems that Tom was a great athlete.

Era un gran profesor.

He was a great teacher.

— Anatomía de una caída (2023)

Era un gran fan.

He was a big fan.

— La gran enfermedad del amor (2017)

No sabía que era un gran secreto.

I didn't know it was a big secret.

No se puede negar que Newton era un gran genio.

There is no denying that Newton was a great genius.

El que trabajaba aquí era un gran periodista.

The one who worked here was a great journalist.

Mi padre era un gran piloto de combate.

My father was a great fighter pilot.

Era un gran privilegio trabajar contigo.

It was a great privilege to work with you.