hermoso
/eɾˈmoso/
The English word 'beautiful' can be translated into Spanish as hermoso. Wiktionary also lists bello and bel.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| hermoso | /eɾˈmoso/ |
| bello | /ˈbeʝo/ |
| bel | /ˈbel/ |
The word is used to describe something or someone that is attractive. You may also see the forms bello and bel.
Which one should you use?
While both hermoso and bello mean beautiful, hermoso is more common in everyday spoken Spanish to describe people, places or things. In contrast, bello often carries a more poetic or aesthetic connotation.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adjectives in Spanish must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. For example, use the feminine form hermosa for feminine nouns and the masculine plural form hermosos for masculine plural nouns. Similarly, the adjective bello must agree in number, so use bellos for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾˈmoso/
Did you know?
- In certain regions, the word hermosa is used sarcastically to describe a situation that is actually a disaster or a 'beautiful' mess.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone hermoso can be used as a term of endearment for children or pets, regardless of their actual looks.
- While bello is common today, it was not used in the 'Poem of the Cid', one of the oldest works of Castilian literature.
Examples in context
- La vida es bella.Life is beautiful.This sentence illustrates the use of bel.Tatoeba #2936 by Shishir, translation #1829 by CK
- El agua es bella.The water is beautiful.This sentence shows how to use bel.Tatoeba #5439765 by mferrer0000, translation #5395101 by Hybrid
- Es un día hermoso.It's a beautiful day.This sentence uses hermoso.Tatoeba #1359807 by marcelostockle, translation #318150 by CK
- La pintura es hermosa.The painting is beautiful.
- El vestido es hermoso.The dress is beautiful.
- El jardín es precioso.The garden is beautiful.
- La joya es preciosa.The jewel is beautiful.
- ¡Qué bonito coche tienes!What a beautiful car you have!
- Esa playa es bonita.That beach is beautiful.
- ¡Eres una chica muy linda!You are a very beautiful girl!
- Tu perro es tan lindo.Your dog is so beautiful.
- ¡Qué guapa te ves hoy!You look so beautiful today!
- El actor principal de la película es muy guapo.The main actor in the movie is very handsome.
- El atardecer es tan bello.The sunset is so beautiful.
- ¡Qué bella canción!What a beautiful song!
- 362 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- LucíaMira este cuadro, es hermoso.Look at this painting, it is beautiful.
- DanielTienes razón, los colores son increíbles.You are right, the colors are incredible.
- LucíaMe parece un paisaje muy hermoso.It seems like a very beautiful landscape to me.
- DanielSí, es la mejor obra de aquí.Yes, it is the best work here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries hermoso, bello, bel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bel, bello, hermoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
