What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of olá (hello) and linda (beautiful/lovely).
Which one should you use?
The form olá, linda is specifically feminine, whereas the masculine version is olá, lindo.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While olá, linda is a standard way to express this, oi, linda is a more common, informal way to say hello beautiful in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. If you wish to be more formal, you can use Olá, bela senhora, which means hello, beautiful lady. For slang-heavy or very informal situations, you might use olá, gata (hello, babe/hot girl), Oi, gata! (Hi, gorgeous!), Opa, lindona! (Hey, beautiful!) or E aí, moça bonita? (What's up, pretty girl?).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, you may also hear the informal variations E aí, linda? and Oi, maravilhosa!
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this phrase when speaking to a man, change the feminine adjective linda to the masculine lindo.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /oˈla ˈlĩ.dɐ/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the word gata, which literally means 'female cat', is used as a slang term for a beautiful woman.
- In Brazil, calling a woman linda in a professional environment can be interpreted as a cantada, which is a flirtatious pick-up line rather than a polite greeting.
- The word lindona uses a specific Portuguese suffix to create an augmented form of linda, signaling that the person is exceptionally beautiful.
Examples in context
- Olá, bela senhora. Como está hoje?Hello, beautiful lady. How are you today?
- Olá, linda!Hello, beautiful!
- Ela disse: "Olá, linda!"She said: "Hello, beautiful!"
- Ele chegou e disse: "Olá, linda!"He arrived and said: "Hello, beautiful!"
Example conversation
Rodrigo greets Juliana as she arrives at a party.
- RodrigoOlá, linda! Você chegou.Hello beautiful! You've arrived.
- JulianaOi, Rodrigo! Obrigada pelo elogio.Hi, Rodrigo! Thanks for the compliment.
- RodrigoEu falo a verdade. Vem cá.I'm telling the truth. Come here.
- JulianaTudo bem, vamos entrar.All right, let's go in.
