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"Mono" is a form of "mono", a noun which is often translated as "monkey". "Bonito" is an adjective which is often translated as "pretty". Learn more about the difference between "mono" and "bonito" below.
el mono, la mona, mono(
moh
-
noh
)
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. monkey
Los monos, como los seres humanos, son primates.Monkeys, like human beings, are primates.
b. ape
El mono salió de entre la vegetación y empezó a golpearse el pecho.The ape jumped out of the jungle and began to beat his chest.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. overalls (with bib)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Además de ser ropa de trabajo, los monos llegaron a estar bastante de moda en los noventa.In addition to being work-clothes, overalls came to be quite fashionable in the nineties.
b. dungarees (with bib)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Mi padre siempre se ponía el mono para arreglar el coche.My father always put on his dungarees to work on the car.
c. jumpsuit (fashion)
Mírame en esta foto de secundaria con el mono morado. ¡Dios mío, qué horror!Look at me in this high school picture in a purple jumpsuit. Oh my God— it's horrible!
a. joker
Una baraja de naipes debería venir con dos monos.A deck of cards should come with two jokers.
a. cartoon (Southern Cone)
De niño, siempre me gustaba leer los monos del periódico.I always liked reading the cartoons in the newspaper when I was a kid.
5.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(medicine)
a. withdrawal symptoms
Estaba con el mono porque no se había pinchado en dos días.He was having withdrawal symptoms because he hadn't shot up in two days.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
6.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(nice)
a. cute
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
¡Mira el cachorro! ¡Qué mono!Look at the puppy! He's so cute!
b. lovely
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
¡Esa bufanda es súper mona!That scarf is really lovely!
c. pretty
¡Vaya! ¡Qué vestido más mono!Wow! What a pretty dress!
7. (hair color)
Regionalism used in Colombia
(Colombia)
a. blond (masculine)
Su hermano era alto y mono.Her brother was tall and blond.
b. blonde (feminine)
Mi madre era mona. Era de ascendencia alemana.My mother was blonde. She was of German descent.
a. mono
Vamos a grabarlo en mono en vez de estéreo.We're going to record it in mono instead of stereo.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.