qué hermoso
/ke eɾmoso/from spelling rules
qué hermoso is the Spanish way to say how beautiful.
This phrase is an exclamation used to express admiration for the beauty of someone or something. You can also use Qué bonito/a to express how beautiful something is.
What does it mean word for word?
In this exclamatory context, qué functions as how to intensify the adjective hermoso.
Which one should you use?
While hermoso is a common way to say beautiful, it is often considered slightly more poetic or intense than the more common qué bonito.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, use Qué guapo/a to express attractiveness. In Latin American countries, Qué lindo/a is particularly common.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use qué hermosa for feminine singular nouns, qué hermosas for feminine plural nouns and qué hermosos for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke eɾmoso/
Did you know?
- The word hermoso shares a common ancestor with the English word 'form', much like how the Latin 'fōrmōsus' describes something full of form or shape.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, you might hear someone describe a person as lindo/a to mean 'beautiful', but this same word is frequently used to describe a person's kind or sweet personality.
- Spanish distinguishes between types of beauty, using bonito for things that are small, delicate, or 'cute' and hermoso for things that are grand or intense.
Examples in context
- Oh, ¡qué hermoso!Oh, how beautiful!This sentence shows the use of qué hermoso as a general exclamation.Tatoeba #1503474 by marcelostockle, translation #13403678 by Adelpa
- ¡Qué hermosos son los valles en primavera!How beautiful the valleys are in spring!This sentence uses the masculine plural form qué hermosos to describe valleys.Tatoeba #11212732 by carlosalberto, translation #11212729 by carlosalberto
- ¡Qué hermosos son los pies de los que predican el evangelio de la paz!How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace!This sentence uses the masculine plural form qué hermosos to describe feet.Tatoeba #11215082 by carlosalberto, translation #11215073 by carlosalberto
- Qué hermoso vestidoWhat a beautiful dress
- Qué hermosa vistaWhat a beautiful view
- Qué bella melodíaWhat a beautiful melody
- Qué bonito cabello tienesYou have beautiful hair
- Qué bonita es tu casaYour house is beautiful
- Qué linda sonrisaWhat a beautiful smile
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- LucíaMira este cuadro, ¡qué hermoso!Look at this painting, how beautiful!
- MateoTienes razón, los colores son increíbles.You're right, the colors are incredible.
- LucíaMe gustaría tenerlo en mi casa.I would like to have it in my house.
- MateoSería un regalo perfecto para ti, Lucía.It would be a perfect gift for you, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermoso, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
