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"Simpático" is an adjective which is often translated as "nice", and "guapo" is an adjective which is often translated as "handsome". Learn more about the difference between "simpático" and "guapo" below.
simpático(
seem
-
pah
-
tee
-
koh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. nice
Ha sido un placer conocer a una chica tan simpática.It has been a pleasure to meet such a nice girl.
b. likeable
Su novio es un tipo simpático; siempre está sonriendo.Her boyfriend is such a likeable guy; he's always smiling.
c. pleasant
Nuestros vecinos son gente muy simpática.Our neighbors are very pleasant people.
d. friendly
Los niños de Carmen son muy simpáticos con sus compañeros de clase.Carmen's children are very friendly to their classmates.
e. kind
Tu abuelo me parece muy simpático.I think your grandad seems very kind.
a. sympathetic
Los doctores creen que es un problema con su sistema nervioso simpático.The doctors believe it's a problem with his sympathetic nervous system.
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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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