pinta

PEEN-tah

nounfB1

look?general appearance or vibe,appearance?how something or someone seems

Also:vibe?informal feeling or atmosphere,mien?demeanor or bearing

📝 In Action

Esa comida tiene muy buena pinta. ¡Quiero probarla!

That food looks really good (has a good appearance). I want to try it!

El nuevo entrenador tiene pinta de ser muy estricto.

The new coach looks like (has the appearance of being) very strict.

Llevas una pinta muy elegante hoy. ¿Tienes una reunión?

You have a very elegant look today. Do you have a meeting?

Word Connections

Synonyms

aspecto (aspect)
apariencia (appearance)

Common Collocations

tener buena pinta – to look good/promising
tener mala pinta – to look bad/suspicious

Idioms & Expressions

cambiar de pinta – to change one's look or style

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Tener'

We almost always use 'pinta' with the verb 'tener' (to have) to describe the appearance of something, like saying 'it has a good look' instead of 'it is good looking'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing with 'Parecer'

Mistake: "La comida parece buena pinta."

Correction: La comida tiene buena pinta. ('Pinta' already means 'look,' so 'parecer' (to seem) is usually redundant here.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Spain vs. Latam

This meaning is universal, but 'tener buena pinta' is particularly popular in Spain for describing food, movies, or plans that seem promising.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pinta

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'pinta' to describe a quantity?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pintar(to paint) - verb

pintor(painter (male)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pinta' related to the English word 'pint'?

Yes, indirectly. Both the Spanish and English words for the liquid measure ultimately derive from a similar root meaning 'to mark' or 'to paint,' referring to the marked line on a container showing the volume. However, the Spanish 'pinta' for 'appearance' is a distinct evolution of the word.

How do I use 'pinta' when describing a person's style?

You use it just like the English 'look' or 'vibe.' For example, 'Tiene pinta de modelo' means 'She has the look of a model' or 'She looks like a model.'