hola guapa
/ola ɡwapa/from spelling rules
The phrase hola guapa is the Spanish way to say 'hi pretty'.
This is an informal greeting used to address a woman to compliment her appearance.
Which one should you use?
While guapa focuses on physical attractiveness, using hola linda or hola bella can sometimes feel more sweet or poetic rather than purely physical.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase hola guapa is informal and should be used with friends, acquaintances or in casual social settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective guapa must agree in gender with the person being addressed. Use hola guapo for a man.
Did you know?
- The word hola may have originated not as a friendly greeting, but as an emphatic command to 'stop' or 'hey!' used to hail someone, much like calling to a ferryman.
- In Spain, guapa is often used as a friendly term of endearment between women or by shopkeepers to customers, regardless of whether they are actually flirting.
- While guapo means 'handsome' for men, in some Spanish-speaking regions it can also describe someone who is brave or daring.
Examples in context
- ¡Hola, preciosa! ¿Cómo está usted?Hello, beautiful! How are you?
- ¡Hola, guapa! ¿Qué tal estás?Hi, pretty! How are you doing?
- ¡Qué tal, bonita! ¿Vamos a tomar algo juntos?What's up, beautiful! Shall we grab something to drink together?
- Hola guapa, ¿cómo estás?Hi pretty, how are you?
- ¡Hola guapa! Qué alegría verte.Hi pretty! It's so good to see you.
Example conversation
Alejandro meets María at a cafe.
- MaríaHola guapa, ¿qué haces aquí?Hi pretty, what are you doing here?
- AlejandroHola, Alejandro. Estoy esperando a una amiga.Hi, Alejandro. I am waiting for a friend.
- MaríaTe ves muy bien hoy.You look very good today.
- AlejandroGracias, eres muy amable.Thank you, you are very kind.
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.
