guapo
“guapo” means “handsome” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
handsome, good-looking
Also: beautiful
📝 In Action
El actor principal de la película es muy guapo.
A1The main actor in the movie is very handsome.
¡Qué casa tan guapa! Me encanta la fachada.
A2What a beautiful house! I love the facade.
Ella es guapa, pero él es un poco más feo.
A1She is good-looking (guapa), but he is a bit uglier.
brave, tough
Also: daring
📝 In Action
Ese torero es muy guapo, no tiene miedo a nada.
B1That bullfighter is very brave; he isn't afraid of anything.
No te metas con él, es un guapo del barrio.
B2Don't mess with him, he's a tough guy in the neighborhood.
handsome man, dear
Also: sweetheart
📝 In Action
¡Buenos días, guapo! ¿Dormiste bien?
A2Good morning, dear! Did you sleep well?
Mi guapo me trajo flores.
B1My handsome man (or 'my sweetheart') brought me flowers.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "guapo" in Spanish:
beautiful→brave→daring→dear→good-looking→handsome→handsome man→sweetheart→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: guapo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'guapo' to mean 'brave' or 'tough', rather than 'handsome'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word likely comes from the Italian word *guappo*, which meant a stylish, swaggering man or a tough guy, particularly in the Naples region. It was absorbed into Spanish, where the meaning evolved to primarily focus on physical attractiveness.
First recorded: 18th century (in its current form)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'guapo' only used for men?
No. While 'guapo' is the masculine form, the feminine form, 'guapa,' is extremely common and is used to describe women who are beautiful or good-looking. It is one of the most common ways to compliment a woman's appearance in Spanish.
If someone calls me 'guapo' or 'guapa,' are they flirting?
It depends on the context! If it's a stranger, perhaps. But often, it's used innocently as a friendly term of endearment by older relatives, close friends, or service staff, similar to saying 'honey' or 'dear' in English.