hermosas palabras
/eɾmosas palabɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'beautiful words' is translated into Spanish as hermosas palabras.
Which one should you use?
In standard descriptive Spanish, it is more common to place the adjective after the noun, as in palabras hermosas. However, placing the adjective before the noun, as in hermosas palabras, is often used to add a poetic or emotive emphasis to the phrase. You may also use the synonym bellas palabras, which carries a slightly more literary or formal tone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, particularly in Mexico, the word bonito/bonita is widely used to convey that something is 'pretty' or 'nice'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective hermosas must be in the feminine plural form to agree with the feminine plural noun palabras.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾmosas palabɾas/
Did you know?
- While hermosas palabras describes beauty, the Spanish word palabra also means 'promise'. Saying someone 'gave their palabra' is the equivalent of saying they gave their word of honor.
- In certain contexts, calling someone's words bonitas can be a sarcastic way to describe 'sweet talk' used for manipulation. This is similar to the English 'pretty words' but is more common in social critiques in Spanish.
- In Spanish, there is a specific distinction between bello and hermoso. While often interchangeable, bello is more frequently associated with an objective artistic ideal, whereas hermoso is often a more subjective, emotional response.
Examples in context
- Por desgracia, estas hermosas palabras no son mías.Unfortunately, these beautiful words are not mine.This sentence shows how to use hermosas palabras when clarifying the origin of a sentiment.Tatoeba #4548358 by Shishir, translation #3522413 by al_ex_an_der
- El jardín es hermosoThe garden is beautiful
- ¡Qué chula esta canción!This song is so cool!
- ¡Eres tan guapa!You are so attractive!
- Escribió unas hermosas palabras en su diario.He wrote some beautiful words in his diary.
- Esas son hermosas palabras para un poema.Those are beautiful words for a poem.
Example conversation
Daniel is thanking Elena for a heartfelt card.
- DanielElena, gracias por escribir esto.Elena, thank you for writing this.
- ElenaDe nada, Daniel. Te quiero mucho.You're welcome, Daniel. I love you very much.
- DanielSon realmente hermosas palabras.They are truly beautiful words.
- ElenaMe alegra que te gustaran.I am glad that you liked them.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
