Which one should you use?
While guapo is the standard term for handsome or good-looking, atractivo is a more formal way to express that someone is attractive.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different Spanish-speaking regions have unique ways to express high levels of attractiveness: in Mexico, people often say ¡Se ve guapísimo! to mean someone looks extremely handsome. In Argentina, ¡Está re bueno! is used to say someone looks really good. And in Colombia, the slang phrase ¡Está como un churro! describes someone who is very attractive.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective guapo must agree in gender with the noun hombre.
How do you pronounce it?
/un ombɾe es ɡwapo/
When do people say it?
There are several levels of intensity in how attractiveness is described in Spanish. For an informal way to say a man looks really hot, you can say Está buenísimo. If you want to use slang to say a man is a total hottie, use Está hecho un pibón.
Did you know?
- The word guapo has undergone a dramatic transformation from its original meaning. It once described a 'rascal' or a 'ruffian' before it evolved into its modern sense of being 'handsome'.
- In Spain, guapo can be used as a term of endearment for children or pets, regardless of whether they are traditionally handsome.
Examples in context
- Es apuesto y distinguido.He is handsome and distinguished.
- Un hombre es guapo cuando sonríe.A man is handsome when he smiles.
- Él dice que un hombre es guapo si tiene buen estilo.He says a man is handsome if he has good style.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are discussing the lead actor in a movie.
- Alejandro¿No crees que el actor principal es muy atractivo?Don't you think the lead actor is very attractive?
- SofíaSí, es verdad que un hombre es guapo cuando tiene esos ojos.Yes, it's true that a man is handsome when he has those eyes.
- AlejandroTienes razón, tiene un aspecto muy elegante.You're right, he has a very elegant look.
- SofíaDefinitivamente, es el hombre más guapo del cine.Definitely, he is the most handsome man in cinema.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, guapo, hombre, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
