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bonita

boh-NEE-tah

pretty?describing a person, place, or thing

Also:beautiful?often interchangeable with 'pretty',nice?describing something pleasant, like a day or a gesture,lovely?describing a pleasant experience or quality

📝 In Action

La casa es muy bonita.

The house is very pretty.

¡Qué flor tan bonita!

What a pretty flower!

Ella es una mujer bonita e inteligente.

She is a beautiful and intelligent woman.

Fue una bonita sorpresa verte aquí.

It was a nice surprise to see you here.

Word Connections

Synonyms

linda (lovely, pretty)
hermosa (beautiful, gorgeous)
guapa (good-looking, handsome (for people))

Antonyms

fea (ugly)

Common Collocations

una cara bonita – a pretty face
una ciudad bonita – a pretty city
ropa bonita – nice/pretty clothes
una bonita sonrisa – a beautiful smile

💡 Grammar Points

Matching the Noun

In Spanish, describing words must match the thing they describe. 'Bonita' ends in '-a', so you use it for feminine things, like 'la casa bonita' (the pretty house). For masculine things, you must change it to 'bonito', like 'el coche bonito' (the pretty car).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Permanent vs. Temporary Pretty: 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

Mistake: "Using only 'ser' with 'bonita'."

Correction: Use 'ser bonita' to describe a lasting quality (e.g., 'Ana es bonita' - Ana is a pretty person). Use 'estar bonita' to say someone looks pretty right now (e.g., 'Ana, ¡estás muy bonita hoy!' - Ana, you look very pretty today!).

⭐ Usage Tips

'Bonita' vs. 'Guapa'

'Bonita' is a great all-purpose word for 'pretty' and can describe people, animals, places, and things. 'Guapa' is almost always used just for people to mean 'good-looking' or 'handsome'.

More Than Just Looks

You can use 'bonita' to describe actions or feelings, not just appearances. For example, 'una bonita canción' means 'a lovely song', and 'un bonito gesto' means 'a nice gesture'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: bonita

Question 1 of 1

Which of these things would you describe using 'bonita'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

bonito(pretty, handsome (masculine form)) - adjective

bonitamente(prettily) - adverb

bonitura(prettiness, beauty) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the real difference between 'bonita', 'linda', and 'hermosa'?

Think of them on a scale. 'Bonita' and 'linda' are like 'pretty' or 'lovely'—great for everyday compliments for people, places, or things. 'Hermosa' is a step up, closer to 'beautiful' or 'gorgeous'. You'd use it for something or someone that truly takes your breath away.

Can I use 'bonita' to describe a man?

No, you must use the masculine form, 'bonito'. However, calling a man 'bonito' can sometimes sound a bit soft or childlike. It's much more common to call a man 'guapo' (handsome).