Hola hermosa
/ola eɾmosa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "hello beautiful" is translated into Spanish as Hola hermosa.
This phrase is a friendly or romantic greeting used to address a woman you find attractive.
Which one should you use?
Hola bella is a common alternative that conveys a similar meaning of 'hello beautiful'. While hermosa is a compliment, using it as a greeting is highly informal and carries a romantic or flirtatious connotation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the southwestern region of the Dominican Republic, Hola, mamichula is an informal way to say 'hello beautiful.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective hermosa is in the feminine form, so this specific phrase is used to address a woman. To address a man, you must change the adjective to the masculine form hermoso.
Did you know?
- The word hola may have originated from the French holà, which was used as a command to tell someone to 'stop'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a woman hermosa in a casual setting can be seen as 'catcalling' if you are a stranger, rather than a polite compliment.
- Using hermoso to greet a man is much rarer than using hermosa for a woman and can sometimes be interpreted as an ironic or playful joke.
Examples in context
- Hola, linda. ¡Cuánto tiempo sin verte!Hello, beautiful. Long time no see!
- Hola hermosa, ¿cómo estás?Hello beautiful, how are you?
- Hola hermosa, te ves muy bien hoy.Hello beautiful, you look very good today.
- Hola hermosa, ¿qué planes tienes para hoy?Hello beautiful, what plans do you have for today?
Example conversation
Alejandro greets María when they meet at a cafe.
- AlejandroHola hermosa, ¿cómo va tu día?Hello beautiful, how is your day going?
- MaríaHola, va muy bien, gracias.Hello, it is going very well, thank you.
- AlejandroMe alegra mucho escucharlo.I am very happy to hear that.
- MaríaEres muy amable, Alejandro.You are very kind, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
