¡ay, qué lindo!
/ˈai ˈke ˈlindo/word by word
The English phrase 'aww, so cute' is expressed in Spanish as ¡ay, qué lindo!
This phrase is an exclamation used to express that something is adorable or sweet.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the interjection ay (oh/ow), the adverb qué (how/what) and the adjective lindo (cute/pretty).
Which one should you use?
While lindo means cute, you can also use ¡ay, qué tierno! to specifically mean 'aww, how sweet/tender' when reacting to an affectionate gesture.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is very common to use the word mono (literally 'monkey') as an adjective to mean 'cute' or 'adorable', as seen in ¡ay, qué mono! In some Latin American countries, you may also hear the variation ¡Qué ricura!
How does it change in a sentence?
If the object being described is a feminine noun, such as una bebé or una gatita, the adjective changes to the feminine form linda, resulting in ¡ay, qué linda!
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈai ˈke ˈlindo/
Did you know?
- The word lindo may be a relative of the English word 'legible'. Both likely descend from the Latin word legitimus, which meant 'lawful' or 'proper'.
- The expression ¡Qué ricura! uses a word derived from 'richness' or 'deliciousness' to describe something adorable.
- The interjection ay is onomatopoeic. While it is frequently used to express sudden pain, in this context it mimics the soft, natural sound a person makes when reacting to something sweet.
Examples in context
- Mira ese cachorro, ¡ay, qué lindo!Look at that puppy, aww, so cute!
Example conversation
Javier and María are looking at a photo of a kitten.
- Javier¿Viste la foto de este gatito?Did you see the photo of this kitten?
- María¡Ay, qué lindo!Aww, so cute!
- JavierSí, tiene unos ojos muy grandes.Yes, he has very big eyes.
- MaríaEs realmente adorable.He is really adorable.
