What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hermoso, meaning "beautiful" and atardecer, which means "sunset" or "the time of evening".
Which one should you use?
While atardecer refers to the sunset itself, puesta de sol is a common alternative specifically meaning "the setting of the sun".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Hermoso atardecer is a standard and elegant way to express this idea. For a more casual or common way to say "pretty sunset", you can use lindo atardecer. If you want to be highly poetic or sophisticated, you might use Bello anochecer or the literary phrase hermoso ocaso. To emphasize the sense of wonder and marvel, you can use Maravilloso ocaso.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can use the expression Hermosa puesta de sol, while in Spain, you might hear Preciosa puesta de sol.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because atardecer is a masculine noun, the adjective hermoso must also be in its masculine form.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾmoso ataɾdeθeɾ/
Did you know?
- The word hermoso comes from the Latin 'formōsus', which literally means 'full of form' or 'shapely'.
- While we use 'sunset' as a noun in English, atardecer can also function as a verb meaning 'to grow late' or 'to become evening'.
- To describe the very last sliver of light after the hermoso atardecer, Spanish speakers use the word crepúsculo, which refers specifically to twilight.
Examples in context
- Que hermoso atardecer, ¿cierto?A beautiful sunset, isn't it?This sentence is useful for practicing how to remark on the beauty of the sunset.Tatoeba #2895147 by lena17, translation #402411 by CK
- ¡Mira ese hermoso atardecer!Look at that beautiful sunset!
- ¡Qué maravilla el ocaso de hoy!What a wonder today's sunset is!
- Fue un hermoso atardecer en la playa.It was a beautiful sunset at the beach.
- Mira ese hermoso atardecer desde la ventana.Look at that beautiful sunset from the window.
Example conversation
A couple is walking along the beach at evening.
- Alejandro¡Qué hermoso atardecer, María!What a beautiful sunset, María!
- MaríaSí, es muy especial hoy.Yes, it is very special today.
- AlejandroMe encanta ver este hermoso atardecer contigo.I love watching this beautiful sunset with you.
- MaríaA mí también, Alejandro.Me too, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atardecer, hermoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
