Eres muy mona

Question

Never heard mona, is it related to monada (pretty little thing?) So it must mean pretty. Eres muy mona, eres una monada. You are very pretty, you are a very pretty little thing. My mexican tutor said she only heard monada three times in her life but knows it. Gracias.

Answer 1

Sí, "mona" se oye mucho en España, y probablemente en algunos otros países...

Ejemplo: "Qué mono está aquel niño" - darling, cute

On the other hand, as you said "mona" can also mean "beautiful".

Answer 2

In some of the places I've lived, the expression "es muy mono" or "es muy mona" can also mean that that person is rather vain. He or she likes to look good and watch him or herself constantly in the mirror, for example.

Answer 3

I read the Junie B. Jones series in Spanish which is about a girl in either kindergarten or the 1st grade and they use that term mona for cute or impish all of the time.

Answer 4

There are a few theories, but one says that the word has been shortened from a word of Arabic origin (maimun) which meant "happy", and colloquially, "cute" (and eventually, monkey). There is also "monada", "monear" and other words. Just look at this definition:

monada.

1. f. Acción propia de un mono.

2. f. Gesto o figura afectada y enfadosa.

3. f. Cosa pequeña, delicada y primorosa.

4. f. Acción impropia de persona cuerda y formal.

5. f. Halago, zalamería.

6. f. Acción graciosa de los niños.

7. f. Cosa fútil impropia de mayores.

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Answer 5

In Colombia we say “mono-a” to the blond people. In most Spanish speaking countries, “rubio-a” is the equivalent of blond.

It is very curious. I can give you three versions of a blond girl:

Mona, in Colombia

Guera, in Mexico

Catira, in Venezuela