"Ele é um grande amigo."

Translation: He is a great friend.

[bonatovada]

When grande is placed before the noun, it usually means "great" rather than "big"

[superfantastik]

Dictionary hints say "grande" is big or large - not good or great. Needs some proper defining.

[surfx2015]

em português (pt-br) "Ele é um grande amigo." é uma frase normal, o "grande amigo" tem o significado de "bom amigo" - "great friend"

[GrnpcFTMarkRMOwl]

That dictionary missed an important alternative meaning....! Reverso's got it. In fact, word order matters. "Uma mulher grande" a large woman, while "uma grande mulher

[reidlearnsguitar]

Yeah. I don't think this sentence works.

[GeorgesRoux]

It works. Actually, it is also used in Spanish. Just open your mind

[GrnpcFTMarkRMOwl]

Interesting to note how English uses great to mean very good, but the etymology begins with "large."

[AyrtonSmith]

Bigger is better, right?

[Brasilikum]

Can you use it like "Good friend" too?

[DREDWARD]

That would be BOM Amigo :)

[GrnpcFTMarkRMOwl]

More like, a "very good friend" a "great friend"

[JaneilsonHD]

I'll be there for you(music symbol)

[OKCole]

Could this be translated as "he is a close friend". It would be better English unless "great" means physically large which I doubt is the case here

[xJC4Rx]

I suppose otimo amigo would raise a few eyebrows

[Paulenrique]

"ótimo amigo" sounds good to me =)