Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| guapo | /ˈɡwapo/ | |
| apuesto | /aˈpwesto/ | |
| de buen parecer | /de bwen paɾeθeɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /de bwen paɾeseɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| guaperas (despective) | colloquial | |
| buenmozo | /bwemmoθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /bwemmoso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Argentina |
These terms are used to describe a man who is physically attractive. You may also use atractivo in formal situations to describe someone who is physically appealing or hermoso to describe an exceptionally attractive man in formal contexts. In informal settings, you might use lindo to describe someone as handsome.
Which one should you use?
Apuesto is a more formal or literary way to describe a man's attractiveness compared to the common guapo. The term guaperas is used colloquially to mock someone's appearance or to imply they are a 'pretty boy' in a derogatory sense.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to sound more formal or literary, use apuesto. In formal contexts, hermoso or atractivo are appropriate. On the other hand, guaperas is a colloquial and derogatory term and lindo is an informal way to describe someone as handsome.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the specific term buenmozo is used to describe a handsome man. In Spain, guapo can also mean 'brave' or 'tough' in certain contexts, though its primary meaning remains 'good-looking'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a woman as beautiful or good-looking, change the masculine guapo to the feminine guapa.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡwapo/
Did you know?
- The common word for handsome, guapo, has a surprising history. It originally derived from the Latin word vappa, which described 'flat wine' or a 'worthless person'.
- The phrase de buen parecer literally translates to 'of good appearance', but it functions as a single elegant way to say someone is handsome.
Examples in context
- Él es muy guapo.He is very handsome.This sentence demonstrates how to use guapo to say someone is very handsome.Tatoeba #449946 by Shishir, translation #400911 by CK
- ¿Soy apuesto o no?Am I handsome or not?This sentence shows a question using the form apuesto.Tatoeba #1292441 by marcelostockle, translation #255441 by CM
- Es un hombre guapo.He is a handsome man.This sentence uses guapo to describe a handsome man.Tatoeba #1251823 by Shishir, translation #327948 by CK
- ¡Ese caballero es muy guapo!That gentleman is very handsome!
- ¡Hola, guapo! ¿Cómo estás?Hi, handsome! How are you?
- ¡Ese chico es muy lindo!That guy is very handsome!
- Ayer conocí a un chico muy guapo en la fiesta.Yesterday, I met a very handsome guy at the party.
- ¡Eres el hombre más atractivo que he visto!You are the most attractive man I have ever seen!
- Mi hermano mayor es realmente apuesto, ¿verdad?My older brother is really handsome, isn't he?
- Ese bebé es tan lindo, ¡parece un modelo de revista!That baby is so handsome, he looks like a magazine model!
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are looking at a photo of a friend.
- Sofía¡Mira qué guapo está Mateo en esta foto!Look how handsome Mateo looks in this photo!
- MateoGracias, Sofía, qué amable eres.Thanks, Sofía, you are very kind.
- SofíaEs verdad, sales muy bien.It is true, you look great.
- MateoMe alegra que te guste.I'm glad you like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handsome” translations and entries guapo, apuesto, buenmozo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apuesto, buen, de, guapo, parecer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
