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"Bonita" is a form of "bonito", an adjective which is often translated as "pretty". "Guapa" is a form of "guapo", an adjective which is often translated as "handsome". Learn more about the difference between "bonita" and "guapa" below.
bonito(
boh
-
nee
-
toh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. pretty
Así que Imelda te parece bonita. ¿Quieres que se lo diga?So, you think Imelda's pretty. Do you want me to tell her?
b. cute
¡Qué bonita bufanda hiciste!What a cute scarf you made!
c. nice
¿Qué será esa bonita canción que escucho?What is that nice song I can hear?
d. beautiful
Lourdes pintó otro cuadro muy bonito.Lourdes painted another beautiful picture.
a. tidy
Jacobo ganó una bonita suma con su nuevo negocio.Jacobo earned a tidy sum with his new business.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. bonito
Comimos un platillo de fusión japonés-mexicano de sushi bonito con chipotle.We ate a Japanese-Mexican fusion dish of bonito sushi with chipotle.
b. tuna
Hay empanadas de bonito con tomate para cenar.There are tuna-and-tomato turnovers for dinner.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
4.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(term of endearment)
a. darling
¿Qué te pasa, bonito? ¿Te has perdido? - No, mi papá y mi mamá están allí.What's the matter, darling? Are you lost? - No, my mom and dad are over there.
b. love
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
¡Hola, bonita! - ¡Hola, Ana! ¡Cuánto tiempo!Hi, love! - Hi, Ana! It's been a long time!
c. honey
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Oye, bonita. Devuélveme mi bolígrafo.Hey, honey. Give me my pen back.
d. beautiful
¿Qué tal, bonita? - Muy contenta de verte, abuela.How are you, beautiful? - Very happy to see you, Grandma.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
5. (beautifully)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. nicely
Si quieres que te ayude, tienes que hablarle bonito.If you want him to help you, you'll have to ask him nicely.
b. well
La hermana de Josué canta muy bonito.Josue's sister sings really well.
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guapo(
gwah
-
poh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. handsome
Nikki piensa que Pablo es muy guapo.Nikki thinks Pablo is very handsome.
b. beautiful
Aún en su vejez esa actriz es muy guapa.Even in her old age that actress is very beautiful.
c. good-looking
Para ser actor, no es suficiente ser guapo, hay que saber actuar.To be an actor, it's not enough to be good-looking. You need to know how to act.
d. pretty
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
(feminine)
Su novia es muy guapa y tiene muy buen tipo.His girlfriend is very pretty and has a very nice figure.
e. hot
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
(slang)
Yo sé que está guapo pero deja de mirarlo.I know he's hot but quit staring.
2.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(lovely)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a. nice
Elena tiene una casa muy guapa.Elena has a really nice house.
b. cool
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Oye, ¡qué bici tan guapa! ¿Es nueva?Hey, what a cool bike! Is it new?
c. awesome
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Esos cascos están muy guapos.Those headphones are really awesome.
3. (well dressed)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a. elegant
¡Qué guapa que vas hoy! ¿Celebras algo?You look so elegant today! Are you celebrating anything?
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. brave (adjective)
Se cree el guapo por haber defendido a esas viejitas.He thinks he's brave because he defended those little old ladies.
A ver quién es el guapo que se come esto.Let's see who's brave enough to eat this.
a. good-looking one
Rubén sabe que es el guapo de la clase y que le gusta a todas las chicas.Ruben knows he's the good-looking one in the class and that all the girls like him.
b. pretty one
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
(feminine)
Todos dicen que Lola es la guapa de las tres hermanas.Everyone says that Lola is the pretty one of the three sisters.
6.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(term of endearment)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a. handsome
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
(masculine)
Hola, guapo. ¡Cuánto tiempo sin verte por aquí!Hi, handsome. It's been ages since we saw you around here!
b. beautiful
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
(feminine)
Nos vemos mañana, guapa.I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful.
c. sweetie
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
¡Qué alto estás, guapo! ¿Cuántos años tienes ya?You've grown so much, sweetie! How old are you now?
d. honey
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
¿Cómo estás, guapo?How are you, honey?
e. love
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
(feminine)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
¿Me puedes ayudar, guapa?Can you help me, love?
7.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(used to express annoyance)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Mamá, voy a salir esta noche. - ¡Que te lo has creído, guapa! Tienes que estudiar.Mom, I'm going out tonight. - You must be joking! You have to study.
¿Pagas tú las cervezas? - Oye, guapo, que te toca pagar a ti. Yo pagué la última vez.Will you pay for the beers? - Hey, it's your turn to pay. I paid last time.
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