mulher bonita
/muˈʎɛʁ buˈni.tɐ/word by word
The English phrase "beautiful woman" is translated into Portuguese as mulher bonita.
Mulher bonita is used to describe a woman who is physically attractive. In many contexts, you may also encounter slang terms such as gata, which literally translates to "cat" but is used to mean an attractive woman or gostosa, a Brazilian slang term used to compliment a woman's physical appearance.
Which one should you use?
While mulher bonita is the standard way to express this, mulher bela is a more formal or poetic alternative. For a more informal and colloquial feel, you can use mulher gata, which is similar to calling someone a "hottie" in English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the southern part of Brazil, you may hear the colloquial expression guria bonita to express admiration for a beautiful woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the standard phrase mulher bonita, the adjective bonita follows the noun mulher.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /muˈʎɛʁ buˈni.tɐ/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word mulher shares an ancient possible root with the English word 'milk', stemming from a Proto-Indo-European term related to the act of milking.
- The term gostosa comes from the word for 'tasty' or 'delicious'. While it describes a beautiful woman, it focuses specifically on her sex appeal rather than her facial beauty.
- While mulher bonita is a safe compliment, using the slang gostosa to describe a 'beautiful woman' can be perceived as highly sexual and even offensive depending on the social context.
Examples in context
- Mary é uma mulher bonita.Mary is a beautiful woman.This example shows how to use mulher bonita to identify someone.Tatoeba #2624686 by marcospcruz, translation #2045780 by CK
- Ela também é uma mulher bonita.She is also a beautiful woman.This example shows how to use mulher bonita to add more information about a person.Tatoeba #11190987 by carlosalberto, translation #11190977 by carlosalberto
- Você é uma bela mulher.You are a beautiful woman.
- Ela é uma mulher bonita.She is a pretty woman.
- Boa tarde, senhora linda.Good afternoon, beautiful lady.
- Você é uma gata linda.You are a beautiful girl.
- Ela é linda de morrer, não concorda?She is beautiful to die for, don't you agree?
- Ela é uma guria bonita demais!She is such a beautiful girl!
- Aquela é uma mulher bonita.That is a beautiful woman.
Example conversation
Juliana and Gabriel are talking about a guest at a party.
- JulianaQuem é aquela mulher bonita ali?Who is that beautiful woman over there?
- GabrielAcho que ela é a prima do Pedro.I think she is Pedro's cousin.
- JulianaEla parece ser muito simpática também.She seems to be very friendly too.
- GabrielSim, ela é realmente encantadora.Yes, she is truly charming.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mulher, bonita) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mulher, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
