precioso
“precioso” means “beautiful” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
beautiful, lovely
Also: gorgeous, cute
📝 In Action
¡Qué vestido más precioso llevas hoy!
A1What a beautiful dress you are wearing today!
El amanecer en la montaña fue un momento precioso.
A2The sunrise in the mountains was a lovely moment.
Mi sobrino es un bebé muy precioso.
A1My nephew is a very cute baby.
precious, valuable
Also: costly
📝 In Action
El anillo tiene piedras preciosas, como diamantes.
B2The ring has precious stones, like diamonds.
El tiempo que pasamos juntos es precioso e irrecuperable.
B1The time we spend together is precious and irreplaceable.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: precioso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'precioso' to mean 'valuable' rather than 'beautiful'?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *pretiōsus*, which meant 'costly' or 'valuable.' This, in turn, is based on the Latin word *pretium*, meaning 'price' or 'worth.' This history explains why 'precioso' can mean both 'beautiful' (high aesthetic value) and 'precious' (high material value).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'precioso' stronger than 'bonito' or 'lindo'?
Yes, generally 'precioso' is a stronger compliment than 'bonito' (pretty) or 'lindo' (nice/cute). It often implies 'gorgeous' or 'absolutely lovely.' It's perfect for things that take your breath away.
Can I use 'precioso' to describe something sarcastically?
Yes, but be careful! In informal speech, people sometimes use 'precioso' ironically to mean the opposite, like 'awful' or 'terrible' ('¡Qué cosa más preciosa hiciste!' meaning 'What a terrible thing you did!'). Context and tone are essential here.