lindo niñito
/lindo niɲito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cute little boy" is translated into Spanish as lindo niñito.
This phrase is used to describe a young male child who is perceived as attractive, endearing. You can also use the word mono to express that someone or something is cute or pretty, and pequeño to indicate that someone is little.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of lindo (cute/pretty), niño (boy) and the diminutive suffix -ito (little).
Which one should you use?
Using the diminutive niñito instead of niño emphasizes the child's smallness or evokes a sense of endearment.
How do you pronounce it?
/lindo niɲito/
Did you know?
- The word lindo may share an ancestor with the English word 'legible'. It likely evolved from the Latin 'legitimus', meaning 'lawful' or 'proper'.
- In Spain, the word mono for 'cute' is very common, but in some Latin American countries, it is more likely to mean 'monkey'.
- While lindo is widely used, in some regions of Spain, the word guapo is more common to describe a child who is physically attractive.
Examples in context
- Estoy enamorado de mi niño encantador.I'm in love with my charming little boy.
- Ese lindo niñito tiene ojos azules.That cute little boy has blue eyes.
- ¡Qué lindo niñito es tu sobrino!What a cute little boy your nephew is!
- El lindo niñito juega en el parque.The cute little boy plays in the park.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are looking at a photo in a family album.
- Alejandro¿Quién es ese lindo niñito de la foto?Who is that cute little boy in the photo?
- ElenaEs mi hijo cuando era bebé.It is my son when he was a baby.
- AlejandroEs un lindo niñito, realmente.He is a cute little boy, really.
- ElenaGracias, Alejandro, eres muy amable.Thank you, Alejandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lindo, niñito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
