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"Alto" is a form of "alto", an adjective which is often translated as "tall". "Guapo" is an adjective which is often translated as "handsome". Learn more about the difference between "guapo" and "alto" below.
guapo(
gwah
-
poh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (attractive)
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 (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Su novia es muy guapa y tiene muy buen tipo.His girlfriend is very pretty and has a very nice figure.
2. (colloquial) (lovely) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
b. cool (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Oye, ¡qué bici tan guapa! ¿Es nueva?Hey, what a cool bike! Is it new?
c. awesome (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Esos cascos están muy guapos.Those headphones are really awesome.
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).
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 (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Todos dicen que Lola es la guapa de las tres hermanas.Everyone says that Lola is the pretty one of the three sisters.
6. (colloquial) (term of endearment) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. handsome (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Hola, guapo. ¡Cuánto tiempo sin verte por aquí!Hi, handsome. It's been ages since we saw you around here!
b. beautiful (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Nos vemos mañana, guapa.I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful.
c. sweetie (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Qué alto estás, guapo! ¿Cuántos años tienes ya?You've grown so much, sweetie! How old are you now?
d. honey (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Cómo estás, guapo?How are you, honey?
e. love (colloquial) (feminine) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Me puedes ayudar, guapa?Can you help me, love?
7. (colloquial) (used to express annoyance) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word 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.
alto(
ahl
-
toh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (height)
2. (level)
3. (sound)
a. loud
La música estaba tan alta que no podíamos conversar.The music was so loud that we couldn't talk.
4. (geography)
5. (history)
a. high
La iglesia se convirtió en una institución unificadora en la Alta Edad Media.The church became a unifying institution in the High Middle Ages.
a. high
El alto antiguo alemán se hablaba en zonas de Alemania hasta el siglo X u XI.The Old High German was spoken in areas of Germany until the 10th or 11th century.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
10. (break)
a. stop
Haremos un alto para tomar un café y usar el baño.We will make a stop to have a coffee and use the restroom.
11. (architecture)
a. top floor
Un ático es un apartamento en el alto de un edificio.A penthouse is an apartment on the top floor of a building.
a. length
Tengo que calcular el alto de tela que necesito para hacer una falda.I have to calculate the length of fabric that I need to make a skirt.
14. (automobile)
a. lights
El conductor no vio el alto y atropelló a un peatón que cruzaba la carretera.The driver didn't see the lights, and ran over a pedestrian crossing the road.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
a. stop
¡Alto! No pueden entrar en ese ala del hospital sin traje para protección contra materiales peligrosos.Stop! You can't go into that wing of the hospital without a hazmat suit.
