qué lindo
/ke lindo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cute" can be expressed in Spanish as qué cute, a Spanglish expression.
The expression qué cute is used to describe someone or something as adorable, cute or charming in informal contexts.
Which one should you use?
While qué cute is common in Spanglish-speaking areas, qué lindo is the standard Spanish way to express the same sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you use the standard Spanish equivalent qué lindo, you must change the ending to qué linda to agree with a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke lindo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
The phrase qué cute is a Spanglish hybrid rather than standard Spanish, mixing the Spanish exclamation qué with the English adjective "cute".
Did you know?
- The adjective lindo is a distant relative of the English word 'legible', as both can be traced back to the same Latin root for 'law'.
- Using the Spanglish qué cute in certain social circles can be a complex status marker, signaling either high social prestige or a lack of formal schooling.
- While qué cute is common in Spanglish, some Latin American cultures use lindo to describe a person's inner kindness or a sweet gesture rather than just their physical appearance.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué lindo es ese perrito!That little dog is so cute!
- Mira esa foto, ¡qué lindo!Look at that photo, how cute!
Example conversation
Daniel shows Lucía a photo of his new kitten.
- DanielMira la foto de mi gatito.Look at the photo of my kitten.
- Lucía¡Ay, qué lindo es!Oh, he is so cute!
- DanielSí, es muy juguetón.Yes, he is very playful.
- LucíaMe encanta, Daniel.I love him, Daniel.
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.
