What does it mean word for word?
The word qué functions as an exclamatory 'how' and lindo means 'cute', 'pretty' or 'nice'.
Which one should you use?
While Qué lindo is common in Latin America, speakers in Spain are more likely to use Qué mono to express the same sentiment of 'how cute'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and parts of Central America, Qué chido is an informal way to say 'how cool'. In Spain, Qué guay is an informal expression meaning 'how cool' or 'how nice'. In some Latin American countries, particularly Chile and Peru, Qué bacán is used to mean 'how nice' or 'how cool'. In Argentina, the expression Qué joya translates to 'what a gem'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it describes, so use Qué linda if referring to a feminine noun or person. The phrase becomes Qué lindos when describing a group of males or a mixed-gender group. The phrase becomes Qué lindas when describing a group of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke lindo/
Did you know?
- The word lindo likely evolved from the Latin word 'legitimus', meaning 'lawful' or 'proper'. Over time, the meaning shifted from being 'legitimate' to 'pure' and finally to 'nice' or 'pretty'.
- While lindo is the standard for 'nice' in many regions, speakers in Spain often use mono, which literally means 'monkey', to say something is cute.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué bonito vestido tienes!How nice of a dress you have!
- Qué agradable eresHow pleasant you are
- Qué agradable ambienteWhat a pleasant atmosphere
- Qué chido te vesHow cool you look
- Qué guay que te haya ido bienHow nice that things went well for you
- Qué joya de lugar!What a fantastic place!
- Qué lindo es este parque.How nice this park is.
- Qué lindo gesto de tu parte.How nice a gesture on your part.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a new puppy.
- SofíaMira este cachorro, Alejandro.Look at this puppy, Alejandro.
- AlejandroSí, ¡qué lindo es!Yes, how nice he is!
- SofíaEs muy juguetón.He is very playful.
- AlejandroQué lindo tener un compañero así.How nice to have a companion like that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lindo, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
