Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| hermoso | /eɾˈmoso/ |
| bello | /ˈbeʝo/ |
| bel | /ˈbel/ |
These words are used to describe something that is attractive or visually pleasing. Depending on what you want to emphasize, you might use other terms: elegante describes something as elegant and visually pleasing, while guapo (for males) and guapa (for females) are specifically used to convey that someone is physically attractive.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions use different words for beautiful: in Spain, particularly in Madrid, you might use majo or maja to mean handsome or beautiful. In Latin America, especially in Mexico, Argentina and Colombia, lindo or linda is common. In Mexico and parts of Central America, chulo or chula can mean beautiful, cool or nice.
How does it change in a sentence?
Spanish adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. For the word hermoso, use the feminine form hermosa for feminine nouns and the masculine plural form hermosos for masculine or mixed-gender plural nouns. For the word bello, use the masculine plural form bellos and the feminine plural form bellas to agree with plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾˈmoso/
Did you know?
- The word chulo can be a compliment meaning 'beautiful' in Mexico, but in other places like Spain, it can mean 'cocky' or 'arrogant'.
- The word hermoso shares its roots with the English word 'form', as it originally comes from the Latin 'fōrmōsus', meaning 'full of form'.
- While guapo is common for attractiveness, in some contexts it can also imply that a person is 'brave' or 'bold'.
Examples in context
- La vida es bella.Life is beautiful.This sentence is useful for practicing the form bel with the concept of life.Tatoeba #2936 by Shishir, translation #1829 by CK
- El agua es bella.The water is beautiful.This sentence is useful for practicing the form bel with the concept of water.Tatoeba #5439765 by mferrer0000, translation #5395101 by Hybrid
- Es un día hermoso.It's a beautiful day.This sentence is useful for practicing the form hermoso with the concept of a day.Tatoeba #1359807 by marcelostockle, translation #318150 by CK
- El paisaje es hermoso.The landscape is beautiful.
- La playa es hermosa.The beach is beautiful.
- La pintura es bella.The painting is beautiful.
- El lugar es bello.The place is beautiful.
- El vestido es bonito.The dress is beautiful/pretty.
- El bebé es bonito.The baby is beautiful/cute.
- El hombre es guapo.The man is handsome.
- La chica es guapa.The girl is beautiful/pretty.
- El chico es majo.The boy is handsome/nice.
- 362 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a view in a park.
- DanielMira ese paisaje, es muy hermoso.Look at that landscape, it is very beautiful.
- ElenaSí, tienes razón, Daniel.Yes, you are right, Daniel.
- DanielEres una mujer hermosa.You are a beautiful woman.
- ElenaGracias, qué amable eres.Thank you, you are so kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries hermoso, bello, bel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bel, bello, hermoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
