es lindo
/es lindo/from spelling rules
The phrase for "someone is cute" in Spanish is es lindo.
You can use lindo to describe someone as cute or sweet. If you want to react to something by exclaiming "how cute!", you can say qué lindo/a.
Which one should you use?
While lindo can mean cute or sweet, if you specifically mean that someone is handsome or good-looking, you should use es guapo.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To tell someone directly "You are cute" in an informal way, use Eres lindo/a.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word chulo/a is commonly used to describe someone as cute. In Spain, a common colloquial way to say someone or something is cute is to use the word mono.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes to the feminine form es linda if the person being described is female. The phrase becomes son lindos when describing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
/es lindo/
Did you know?
- While lindo is widely understood, the word chulo for 'cute' in Mexico can mean 'cocky' or 'arrogant' in Spain.
- The adjective lindo is a linguistic relative of the English word 'legible', as both traces their roots back to the idea of being 'lawful' or 'clear'.
- In Spain, using mono to mean 'cute' literally translates to calling someone or something a 'monkey'.
Examples in context
- Eres increíblemente lindo/aYou are incredibly cute.
- Eres un amorYou are a sweetheart.
- Tu sobrino es lindo.Your nephew is cute.
- El nuevo bebé es lindo.The new baby is cute.
Example conversation
María and Javier are looking at a photo of a puppy.
- MaríaMira este perrito, es lindo.Look at this little dog, it is cute.
- JavierSí, es muy tierno.Yes, it is very sweet.
- MaríaTú crees que es lindo?Do you think it is cute?
- JavierClaro, me encanta.Of course, I love it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, lindo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
