Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gostoso | /ɡosˈto.zu/ (Brazil) /ɡoʃˈto.zu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| pedaço | /peˈda.su/ (Brazil) /pɨˈda.su/ (Portugal) |
colloquial, masculine |
These terms are used as slang to refer to a sexually attractive person. While other informal terms like gato or gata can be used to refer to an attractive person, and Bonitão/a is used to say someone is very good-looking, the forms provided here carry a specific weight.
What does it mean word for word?
The word gostoso literally means "tasty" or "delicious" when it is used to describe food.
Which one should you use?
The word pedaço literally means "piece", but in this slang context, it is used to describe an attractive person, similar to calling someone a "snack" in English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term gostoso is highly informal and carries a strong sexual connotation when used to describe a person.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form gostoso changes to gostosa when referring to a woman. For a softer and more affectionate tone, you can use the diminutive forms Gatinho/a to mean "cute hottie".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of gostoso is /ɡosˈto.zu/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Brazil, the phrase um pedaço de mau caminho refers to a 'hottie' who is dangerously tempting or a bad influence.
- In many Brazilian regions, calling someone gostoso to their face in a formal setting is considered highly inappropriate and much more aggressive than saying 'attractive' in English.
- While gostoso describes someone 'tasty', the suffix -oso functions similarly to the English suffix '-ful', turning the noun 'taste' into an adjective meaning 'full of taste'.
Examples in context
- Carlos é um gato!Carlos is a hottie!
- Que gatinha linda!What a cute hottie!
- Que bonitão!What a good-looking hottie!
- Aquele cara é muito gostoso.That guy is a real hottie.
- O novo vizinho é um gostoso.The new neighbor is a hottie.
- Ele parece um cara muito gostoso.He looks like a real hottie.
Example conversation
Two friends are gossiping while looking at social media.
- BeatrizOlha a foto desse modelo!Look at this model's photo!
- FelipeNossa, ele é muito gostoso.Wow, he is such a hottie.
- BeatrizConcordo, ele é perfeito.I agree, he is perfect.
- FelipeVocê tem bom gosto, Beatriz.You have good taste, Beatriz.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hottie” translations and entries gostoso, pedaço, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gostoso, pedaço, CC BY-SA 4.0.
