the difference between '' bonito'' and '' precioso''

Question

Want to know the difference between ''bonito'' and ''precioso'', since they both mean beautiful.

Welcome to SpanishDict. This is very easy to find on your own. Put them into the translator and see what you get. - rac1, Apr 7, 2017

thks - ricotta9402, Apr 8, 2017

Answer 1

The main difference between the two is that precioso is also used to indicate cute behavior or a person´s way of being, rather than appearance. Usually we talk about little kids or babys this way, ie: ¡Pero qué niño más precioso / lindo!

Want to know the difference between ''bonito'' and ''precioso'',

My question to you is who wants to know?

Julian: Maybe the poster's native tongue is like Spanish in terms of being able to leave out subject pronouns. :) (But rarely if ever in proper English) - DilKen, Apr 7, 2017

I see this a lot in English lately, as well as those ridiculous new idioms "double down" and "rachet up" - 005faa61, Apr 7, 2017

In American English it is getting somewhat popular to leave out the 1st person pronoun, but just in certain cases like this one. Also you definitely have the best answer. Un voto por ti. - Daniela2041, Apr 7, 2017

Answer 2

I don't think it's as simple as the difference between ''bonito'' and ''precioso'' -- the reality is subtle, and there's a lot of overlap between them.

Think of the English words beautiful, attractive, gorgeous, pretty, lovely, comely. For each pair, can you tell me the difference between the two?

Having said that... you might think of precioso as cute and bonito as lovely.

thks - ricotta9402, Apr 8, 2017

Answer 3

I would say "bonito/a" is pretty. And "guapo/a is beautiful/good looking. Both said in relation as to how someone/a person looks. But that "precioso" is more used for something ( an object for example) which looks nice. That's how I would use them.

thks - ricotta9402, Apr 8, 2017

Answer 4

Precioso can also mean the same as English "precious" meaning of great value. Think of the cognate word "price." In Christian Hymnals, Jesus Christ is referred to as being "precioso."

thks - ricotta9402, Apr 8, 2017

Answer 5

My favorite tool for this type of inquiry is context.reverso.net

Simply set it up for Spanish to English

Then type in bonito and bonita

You will see thousands of sample sentences for how it is used. You will also see the English meanings in order of frequency.

For example for bonito:
Translations nice [adj] beautiful [adj] pretty [adj] lovely [adj] good [adj] beauty [n] bonito [adj/n] skipjack [n] nicer sweet [adj] fine [adj] great [adj] handsome [adj] wonderful [adj] cool [adj] attractive [adj] neat [adj] bonny

For each sentence, you can go to the source (movie, book, magazine article, play, newspaper, etc.) to see how a word or phrase is used in context.

It also works the other way around. Set it up for English to Spanish and type in one of the English words that you were given for bonito.

For example, beautiful:
Translations hermosa [adj] hermoso [adj] preciosa [adj] bonito [adj] bonita [adj] bella belleza [n] precioso [adj] bello [adj] guapa [adj] linda [adj] lindo [adj] maravilloso [adj] maravillosa [adj] guapo [adj] buen [adj] bueno [adj] muy bueno [adj] alegre [adj]

thks - ricotta9402, Apr 8, 2017

Answer 6

I would simply go to the dictionary that is right here. Click on "Menu", then "Translation". Translate these words one at a time. You will find numerous example sentences.

That's how I have learned much of my Spanish. Good luck!

thks - ricotta9402, Apr 8, 2017

Answer 7

I use precioso as much stronger than bonito. Verónica es bonita pero en mi opinión Cristina le gana en belleza. Cristina es súper linda, una verdadera preciosura. Cristina es preciosa. You could also use precioso/a like with metals such as platinum, gold etc Here it is not their beauty but their value.

Answer 8

There is one exception: bonito is a skipjack tuna fish. Majority of them is synonymous to each other.