bello
/BAY-yoh/
beautiful
Bello (beautiful) describes things that are aesthetically pleasing, like this perfect rose.
bello(adjective)
beautiful
?aesthetically pleasing
,lovely
?very nice or attractive
handsome
?used for men, though 'guapo' is more common
📝 In Action
El paisaje de la montaña es realmente bello en otoño.
A1The mountain landscape is truly beautiful in autumn.
Tienes un perro muy bello y grande.
A1You have a very lovely and large dog.
Le regaló un bello poema escrito por él mismo.
A2He gave her a beautiful poem written by himself.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'bello' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'bello' (masculine singular), 'bella' (feminine singular), 'bellos' (masculine plural), 'bellas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Location of the Adjective
Mistake: "El bello coche."
Correction: El coche bello. (While 'bello' can go before the noun for emphasis, placing it after is the most standard way to describe something.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Bello vs. Hermoso
'Hermoso' is often stronger than 'bello.' Think of 'bello' as 'lovely' or 'fine,' and 'hermoso' as 'stunning' or 'gorgeous.' They are often interchangeable, but 'hermoso' carries more intensity.
When referring to character, bello (noble) describes virtuous actions, such as sharing with those in need.
bello(adjective)
noble
?referring to actions or character
,fine
?excellent or admirable quality
great
?describing an achievement or time period
📝 In Action
Fue un bello gesto de su parte ayudar a los necesitados.
B1It was a noble gesture on his part to help those in need.
La justicia es uno de los más bellos ideales de la humanidad.
C1Justice is one of humanity's finest ideals.
Vivimos en la bella época de la literatura renacentista.
B2We lived during the great era of Renaissance literature.
💡 Grammar Points
Literary Use
In this formal sense, 'bello' often precedes the noun (e.g., 'un bello ideal') to emphasize the inherent quality, giving it a poetic or literary feel.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
Use this meaning when discussing high culture, ethics, or historical periods. In everyday conversation, simply use 'bueno' (good) or 'genial' (great) instead.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bello
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences uses 'bello' to describe an abstract quality rather than a physical appearance?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'bello' and 'guapo'?
'Guapo' is almost exclusively used to describe people as good-looking or handsome. 'Bello' is broader; it can describe people, objects (a painting, a house), places (a city), or abstract ideas (a memory). When describing a man, 'guapo' is more common than 'bello'.
Can I use 'bello' to describe the weather?
Yes, but it's often more formal or poetic. You might hear '¡Qué día tan bello!' (What a beautiful day!). However, 'hace buen tiempo' (the weather is good) or 'hace sol' (it's sunny) are more common everyday phrases.