How to Say Pretty in Spanish opens the door to expressing beauty in one of the world’s most romantic languages.
Whether you’re complimenting a friend, describing a beautiful place, or expressing admiration for something you love, knowing the right Spanish word can make your message more genuine and heartfelt.
From simple, everyday terms to poetic phrases, Spanish offers a variety of ways to say pretty that can fit any mood or occasion.
Pretty in Spanish
Here’s your 15 ways to say Pretty in Spanish table with pronunciation, meaning, and context:
| Spanish Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonita | boh-NEE-tah | Pretty | Common compliment for women, objects, or places |
| Hermosa | ehr-MOH-sah | Beautiful, pretty | More poetic and formal compliment |
| Linda | LEEN-dah | Cute, pretty | Friendly, casual compliment |
| Bella | BEH-yah | Beautiful, pretty | Romantic or poetic expression |
| Guapa | GWAH-pah | Good-looking, pretty | Common in Spain for women |
| Preciosa | preh-SYOH-sah | Gorgeous, precious | Strong admiration for beauty |
| Chula | CHOO-lah | Cute, pretty | Informal, sometimes playful |
| Bonito | boh-NEE-toh | Pretty | Masculine form, for men or objects |
| Encantadora | ehn-kahn-tah-DOH-rah | Charming, lovely | More about personality and looks |
| Atractiva | ah-trahk-TEE-vah | Attractive | Formal compliment |
| Radiante | rah-DYAN-teh | Radiant, pretty | Describes a glowing, happy appearance |
| Deslumbrante | dehs-loom-BRAHN-teh | Stunning, dazzling | Very strong compliment |
| Cuca | KOO-kah | Cute, pretty | Very informal, used in some regions |
| Agraciada | ah-grah-SYAH-dah | Graceful, pretty | Elegant compliment |
| Mona | MOH-nah | Cute, pretty | Informal, friendly tone |
Let’s explore 15 vibrant ways to say pretty in Spanish, with real-life dialogue examples and the cultural flavor behind each phrase.
1. Bonita – Pretty (standard, feminine)
Origin & Use:
From the word “bueno” (good), bonita is one of the most common ways to say “pretty” in Spanish. It’s gentle, polite, and widely understood across Spain and Latin America.
Example:
👤 User A: Qué bonita te ves hoy.
👤 User B: ¡Gracias! Me arreglé para la ocasión.
Tone: Polite, sweet, and universally accepted.
2. Lindo / Linda – Lovely, Cute
Origin & Use:
Common in Latin America (especially Argentina and Colombia), linda is similar to bonita, but slightly warmer or more affectionate.
Example:
👤 User A: Me encanta tu vestido, está muy lindo.
👤 User B: ¿De verdad? ¡Gracias!
Tone: Friendly and affectionate.
3. Hermosa – Gorgeous, Beautiful
Origin & Use:
Derived from “hermosura” (beauty), hermosa is used for more dramatic, poetic compliments. Popular in romantic settings or poetry.
Example:
👤 User A: Eres la mujer más hermosa que he visto.
👤 User B: ¡Qué romántico eres!
Tone: Deeply romantic or poetic.
4. Guapa – Attractive, Pretty
Origin & Use:
More common in Spain, guapa refers to physical attractiveness and confidence.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Hola, guapa! ¿Cómo estás hoy?
👤 User B: ¡Muy bien! ¡Qué amable!
Tone: Bold and flirty in Spain; may sound strong in Latin America.
5. Chula – Cute, Stylish
Origin & Use:
Used in Mexico, chula is often a fun, flirty way to say someone looks cute. In Spain, it can mean “cool” or “neat.”
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Qué chula te ves con ese peinado!
👤 User B: ¡Gracias! Lo hice yo misma.
Tone: Playful and stylish; varies by country.
6. Preciosa – Precious, Gorgeous
Origin & Use:
Comes from “precio” (price), meaning something of great value. Often used in romantic or formal compliments.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Buenos días, preciosa!
👤 User B: ¡Qué lindo saludo!
Tone: Warm, romantic, or elegant.
7. Bella – Beautiful
Origin & Use:
Similar to Italian bella, it’s used in poetry, songs, and formal Spanish. Less common in everyday speech.
Example:
👤 User A: Eres tan bella como una flor.
👤 User B: ¡Qué tierno eres!
Tone: Romantic, poetic, formal.
8. Divina – Divine, Stunning
Origin & Use:
Mostly heard in Spain and Argentina. Divina implies a glamorous or angelic beauty.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Estás divina con ese vestido!
👤 User B: ¡Gracias, eres un sol!
Tone: Dramatic and expressive.
9. Monísima – Super cute / Adorable
Origin & Use:
A diminutive of “mona” (cute), used in Spain. Adding -ísima intensifies the word.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Tu perrita es monísima!
👤 User B: ¡Lo sé! Siempre llama la atención.
Tone: Sweet, affectionate, and feminine.
10. Encantadora – Charming, Enchanting
Origin & Use:
Literally means “enchanting.” Used when someone’s personality and looks both impress you.
Example:
👤 User A: Es tan encantadora, siempre tan amable.
👤 User B: Sí, tiene una luz especial.
Tone: Refined, elegant.
11. Cuchi – Cute (Venezuelan slang)
Origin & Use:
Used in Venezuela, cuchi is adorable slang to say someone or something is cute or precious.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Qué cuchi está tu bebé!
👤 User B: ¡Gracias! Es un amor.
Tone: Cute and regional.
12. Tanquita / Tan bonita – So pretty
Origin & Use:
Tanquita is a playful shortening or exaggeration of tan bonita (so pretty), used jokingly or flirtatiously in social media or texting.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Tanquita tú! Siempre robando miradas.
👤 User B: Jajaja, ¡tú exageras!
Tone: Playful, flirty, casual.
13. Atractiva – Attractive
Origin & Use:
A neutral, polite way to describe physical appeal. Often used in formal or descriptive speech.
Example:
👤 User A: La nueva profesora es muy atractiva.
👤 User B: Sí, y muy inteligente también.
Tone: Formal, respectful.
14. Linda carita – Pretty little face
Origin & Use:
A sweet phrase for children or flirty use in songs and poems. Often said to express affection.
Example:
👤 User A: ¡Ay, qué linda carita tienes!
👤 User B: ¡Me haces sonrojar!
Tone: Affectionate and tender.
15. Riquísima – Hot / Very attractive (slang)
Origin & Use:
Literally means “very tasty,” but in slang (especially in the Caribbean and Central America), it means someone is very attractive. Use with caution—it can sound suggestive!
Example:
👤 User A: ¿Viste a Mariana? ¡Está riquísima!
👤 User B: ¡Sí, todos se fijan en ella!
Tone: Slang, flirtatious, informal.
Conclusion:
learning how to say pretty in Spanish is about more than vocabulary—it’s about capturing emotion, style, and sincerity in your compliments.
Whether you choose a casual word for everyday moments or a more poetic expression for special occasions, your effort will always be appreciated.
So next time you want to compliment someone or something, use your new Spanish phrases and let your words sparkle with warmth.
Want to sound native in Spanish? Mastering compliments is a beautiful place to start. 💬✨
