hermosa sonrisa
/eɾmosa sonrisa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "beautiful smile" is translated into Spanish as hermosa sonrisa.
This phrase is used to describe a smile that is visually pleasing or attractive.
Which one should you use?
While hermosa sonrisa is a valid way to express this, placing the adjective after the noun as sonrisa hermosa is also grammatically correct and is more common in standard, non-emphatic speech. You may also use bella sonrisa for a version that carries a slightly more poetic or literary tone, or linda sonrisa to say "pretty smile" in more casual, everyday contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase hermosa sonrisa, the adjective hermosa precedes the noun sonrisa. This specific word order is a common poetic or emphatic word order in Spanish.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾmosa sonrisa/
Did you know?
- The root of sonrisa comes from the Latin rīdeō, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'ridicule'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, complimenting a 'beautiful smile' can be a socially acceptable way to initiate a flirtation without being overly aggressive.
- The word sonrisa is a descendant of the Latin subrīdeō, where the prefix 'sub-' meant 'under' or 'slightly', implying that a smile is a 'slight' or 'understated' laugh.
Examples in context
- Realmente tenés una hermosa sonrisa.You really do have a beautiful smile.This sentence shows how to compliment someone by saying they have a hermosa sonrisa.Tatoeba #2154829 by hayastan, translation #2045841 by CK
- ¡Tienes una sonrisa hermosa!You have a beautiful smile!
- Admiro tu sonrisa preciosa.I admire your gorgeous smile.
- Tu sonrisa encantadora ilumina mi día.Your charming smile brightens my day.
- ¡Qué bonita sonrisa!What a pretty smile!
- Me encanta tu sonrisa linda.I love your lovely smile.
- ¡Tienes una sonrisa preciosa!You have a gorgeous smile!
- Ella tiene una hermosa sonrisa.She has a beautiful smile.
- Tu foto muestra una hermosa sonrisa.Your photo shows a beautiful smile.
Example conversation
Alejandro is complimenting Elena on her photo.
- ElenaMira esta foto mía.Look at this photo of mine.
- Alejandro¡Qué hermosa sonrisa tienes, Elena!What a beautiful smile you have, Elena!
- ElenaMuchas gracias, Alejandro.Thank you very much, Alejandro.
- AlejandroDe nada, te ves muy bien.You're welcome, you look very good.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sonrisa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
