garota bonita
/ɡaˈɾo.tɐ buˈni.tɐ/word by word
The English phrase 'beautiful girl' is translated into Portuguese as garota bonita.
This phrase is used to describe a young woman or girl who is physically attractive. While the adjective bonita can also mean 'pretty', it is the standard way to express 'beautiful' in this context.
Which one should you use?
There are nuances depending on the age of the person being described. Use menina bonita when referring specifically to a young child or a girl. The term garota bonita is more common when referring to teenagers or young women.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Garota Linda is an informal way to say 'beautiful girl', while Mulher Bonitona is an informal way to say 'beautiful woman'. In Brazilian Portuguese, the slang term Gata (which literally means 'cat') is used to describe an attractive woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Portuguese, the adjective bonita follows the noun garota.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡaˈɾo.tɐ buˈni.tɐ/. The phrase has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portugal, the word rapariga is the standard term for 'girl', but in Brazil, it can be a derogatory term for a woman of easy virtue. A Brazilian would use garota or menina to avoid this misunderstanding.
- The word bonita comes from the Latin bonus, meaning 'good'. In Portuguese, physical beauty and moral goodness were historically linked through this single linguistic root.
- While gata means 'cat', using it to call a woman 'beautiful' is a common Brazilian slang term that implies she is sleek and attractive. However, calling a man a gato is also common and means he is handsome.
Examples in context
- Mary é uma garota bonita.Mary is a beautiful girl.This sentence is useful for showing how to identify someone as a garota bonita.Tatoeba #2624680 by marcospcruz, translation #2045772 by CK
- Aquela moça é uma bela garota.That girl is a beautiful girl.
- Você é uma menina bonita.You are a pretty girl.
- Essa é a deslumbrante jovem que elogiei.This is the stunning young lady I praised.
- Ontem conheci uma garota linda.Yesterday I met a beautiful girl.
- Ei, gata! Você está incrível hoje.Hey, beautiful! You look amazing today.
- Nossa, você é uma menina bonitinha demais!Wow, you are such a cute girl!
- Aquela é uma garota bonita.That is a beautiful girl.
- Vi uma garota bonita no parque.I saw a beautiful girl in the park.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Mariana are looking at a photo in a magazine.
- MarianaOlha aquela garota bonita na foto!Look at that beautiful girl in the photo!
- LucasSim, ela é muito elegante.Yes, she is very elegant.
- MarianaVocê concorda, Lucas?Do you agree, Lucas?
- LucasCom certeza, Mariana.Certainly, Mariana.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (garota, bonita) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
