What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from você (you), tem (have), olhos (eyes) and lindos (beautiful).
Which one should you use?
While você tem olhos lindos implies a high degree of beauty such as lovely or gorgeous, the phrase você tem olhos bonitos is a more standard way to say you have pretty or nice eyes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase Você tem olhos lindos! is an informal way to express this compliment. For a formal situation, you may use Seus olhos são belos. In an enthusiastic informal context in Brazil, you might say Você tem olhos lindos pra caramba!
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, speakers might address someone directly using Tu tens olhos bonitos or Tens uns olhos bonitos. In many parts of Portugal and certain regions of Brazil, tu tens olhos lindos is used instead of você tem for informal address.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective lindos must be masculine and plural to agree with the masculine plural noun olhos.
Did you know?
- Portuguese and Spanish both developed their modern second-person pronouns from the same phrase meaning 'your mercy', resulting in você and usted.
- Because olhos is a masculine noun, you cannot use the feminine version of the adjective, even if you are speaking to a woman.
- The formal alternative Seus olhos são belos uses the word belos, a term more frequently found in classical poetry and literature than in daily conversation.
Examples in context
- Alguém já lhe disse que você tem olhos lindos?Has anyone told you that you have beautiful eyes?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever received a specific compliment regarding their eyes using você tem olhos lindos.Tatoeba #4069264 by muriloricci, translation #3204894 by CK
- Eu gosto de você porque você tem olhos lindos.I like you because you have beautiful eyes.
- Diga a verdade, você tem olhos lindos.Tell the truth, you have beautiful eyes.
Example conversation
Felipe is complimenting Camila during a date at a cafe.
- FelipeCamila, você tem olhos lindos.Camila, you have beautiful eyes.
- CamilaMuito obrigada, Felipe. Você é muito gentil.Thank you very much, Felipe. You are very kind.
- FelipeÉ a mais pura verdade.It is the absolute truth.
- CamilaFiquei até sem graça agora.I am even blushing now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tem, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
