hola guapo
/ola ɡwapo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "hey handsome" is translated into Spanish as hola guapo.
hola guapo is an informal greeting used to address a man whom the speaker finds attractive. While it can be used as a genuine compliment, it is often used flirtatiously or playfully between friends.
Which one should you use?
You can use hola guapa if you are addressing a woman. For a more playful or exaggerated tone, you might use hola guapetón. Other words for handsome include hermoso, and the word lindo is a versatile term that can be used to address both men and women.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
hola guapo is an informal expression. The variation hola guapetón is also informal and adds a playful or more emphatic tone to the compliment.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a woman, the adjective changes from the masculine guapo to the feminine guapa.
Did you know?
- The word guapo has undergone a massive transformation from its origins. It originally meant a 'worthless person' or 'flat wine' before evolving into its modern meaning of 'handsome'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, guapo can be used as a casual filler or a term of endearment by shopkeepers or waiters, regardless of whether they are flirting.
- Depending on the region, calling someone guapo in a sarcastic tone can be a way to tell them they are acting overly vain.
Examples in context
- ¡Ey guapo!Hey handsome!
- Hola, lindo.Hello, handsome/beautiful.
- papacitoHandsome
- Hola guapo, ¿cómo estás?Hey handsome, how are you?
- Ella le dijo: 'Hola guapo'.She said to him, 'Hey handsome.'
Example conversation
Lucía greets Daniel at a party.
- LucíaHola guapo, no te había visto.Hey handsome, I hadn't seen you.
- DanielHola Lucía, gracias por el cumplido.Hi Lucía, thanks for the compliment.
- LucíaDe nada, te ves muy bien hoy.You're welcome, you look great today.
- DanielTú también te ves increíble.You look incredible too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guapo, hola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
