honesto
oh-NES-toh
📝 In Action
Mi hermano es muy honesto y nunca miente.
A1My brother is very honest and never lies.
¿Puedes darme tu opinión honesta sobre este vestido?
A2Can you give me your honest opinion on this dress?
Necesitamos un gobierno honesto que trabaje para el pueblo.
B1We need an honest government that works for the people.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number
Since 'honesto' is a describing word, it must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'un hombre honesto,' 'una mujer honesta,' 'unos chicos honestos,' 'unas chicas honestas'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using ESTAR instead of SER
Mistake: "Soy honesto (I am honest) vs. Estoy honesto (Incorrect)."
Correction: Always use 'ser' (Soy, Eres, Es, etc.) with 'honesto' because honesty is considered a permanent part of someone's character, not a temporary mood or state.
⭐ Usage Tips
To Be Honest...
To translate the phrase 'To be honest' at the start of a sentence, use 'Para ser honesto/a' (if you are talking about yourself) or 'Sinceramente' (sincerely).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: honesto
Question 1 of 1
How would you describe 'My sister is honest'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'honesto' and 'honrado'?
'Honesto' generally focuses on truthfulness and sincerity (telling the truth). 'Honrado' is often slightly stronger and emphasizes integrity, honor, and a reputation for being respectable and not corrupt. In daily conversation, they are often interchangeable.
Why is the 'h' not pronounced in 'honesto'?
In Spanish, the letter 'h' is silent almost always. Although it is written, you should ignore it completely when speaking. Just start with the 'o' sound: /oˈnesto/.