hermosa ciudad
/eɾmosa θjudad/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'beautiful city' is translated into Spanish as hermosa ciudad.
The phrase is used to describe a city that is visually pleasing or attractive.
Which one should you use?
While hermosa ciudad is correct, placing the adjective after the noun to say ciudad hermosa is also grammatically correct and is more common in neutral, descriptive speech. For a more poetic or literary tone, you may use bella ciudad. If you wish to say 'pretty city' with slightly less intensity, you can use ciudad bonita.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase hermosa ciudad, the adjective hermosa precedes the noun ciudad. This is a common stylistic choice in Spanish used to emphasize the quality of beauty.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾmosa θjudad/
Did you know?
- The Latin root of ciudad, 'civitas', originally referred to the body of citizens or the community itself, rather than just the physical buildings and streets.
- In Spanish, describing a city as bonita might sometimes be seen as slightly patronizing or trivial, as if you are describing a small, charming village rather than a grand metropolis.
- In Latin American Spanish, hermosa is frequently used as a term of endearment for people, but it is rarely used as a noun to mean 'a beauty' as it is in English.
Examples in context
- Viena es una hermosa ciudad.Vienna is a beautiful city.This sentence is useful for identifying the subject of a sentence using hermosa ciudad.Tatoeba #3062520 by marcelostockle, translation #65699 by mamat
- Dicen que Venecia es una hermosa ciudad.They say that Venice is a beautiful city.This sentence is useful for reporting what is said about a location using hermosa ciudad.Tatoeba #1759477 by Shishir, translation #33916 by CK
- Vivimos en una hermosa ciudad.We live in a beautiful city.This sentence is useful for describing a place of residence using hermosa ciudad.Tatoeba #6714442 by Balamax, translation #6712634 by Balamax
- Barcelona es una ciudad hermosa llena de cultura y arquitectura impresionante.Barcelona is a beautiful city full of culture and impressive architecture.
- Río de Janeiro es una ciudad hermosa con playas paradisíacas.Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city with paradise-like beaches.
- Florencia es considerada una ciudad bonita gracias a sus calles medievales y hermosos paisajes.Florence is considered a beautiful city thanks to its medieval streets and beautiful landscapes.
- San Francisco es una ciudad bonita con impresionantes vistas de la bahía.San Francisco is a beautiful city with breathtaking views of the bay.
- Praga es una ciudad preciosa llena de encanto medieval.Prague is a beautiful city full of medieval charm.
- Lisboa es una ciudad preciosa con una arquitectura única y colinas pintorescas.Lisbon is a beautiful city with unique architecture and picturesque hills.
- Buenos Aires es una ciudad linda con una vida nocturna vibrante.Buenos Aires is a beautiful city with a vibrant nightlife.
- Mérida es una ciudad linda llena de historia y tradición.Merida is a beautiful city full of history and tradition.
- Cartagena es una ciudad preciosa con sus coloridas casas coloniales.Cartagena is a beautiful city with its colorful colonial houses.
- Puerto Vallarta es una ciudad preciosa en la costa del Pacífico mexicano.Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful city on the Mexican Pacific coast.
- Madrid es una ciudad guapa con su arquitectura impresionante y plazas acogedoras.Madrid is a beautiful city with its impressive architecture and cozy squares.
- Bilbao es una ciudad guapa que combina una rica historia industrial con modernidad y arte contemporáneo.Bilbao is a beautiful city that combines a rich industrial history with modernity and contemporary art.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are visiting a new city together.
- DanielMira los edificios, ¡es una hermosa ciudad!Look at the buildings, it's a beautiful city!
- ElenaTienes razón, me encanta todo aquí.You're right, I love everything here.
- DanielQuisiera vivir en esta hermosa ciudad.I would like to live in this beautiful city.
- ElenaYo también, es muy especial.Me too, it is very special.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciudad, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
