The most common word for “beautiful” in Portuguese is “bonito” (pronounced: boh-NEE-toh) for men and “bonita” (pronounced: boh-NEE-tah) for women. This versatile term is great for complimenting people, places, or things. However, Portuguese offers many other ways to describe beauty, each adding a unique touch to your compliments. Let’s explore 30 ways to express beauty in Portuguese, complete with English translations and pronunciations.
Common Words for “Beautiful” in Portuguese
- Bonito / Bonita
- Meaning: Beautiful, pretty, handsome
- Pronunciation: boh-NEE-toh / boh-NEE-tah
- Example:
- “Ela é muito bonita.” (She is very beautiful.)
- “Esse lugar é bonito.” (This place is beautiful.)
- Lindo / Linda
- Meaning: Gorgeous, lovely
- Pronunciation: LEEN-doh / LEEN-dah
- Example:
- “Você está linda hoje.” (You look gorgeous today.)
- “O céu está lindo esta noite.” (The sky is beautiful tonight.)
- Belo / Bela
- Meaning: Elegant, beautiful, fine
- Pronunciation: BEH-loh / BEH-lah
- Example:
- “É uma bela paisagem.” (It’s a beautiful landscape.)
- “O quadro é belo.” (The painting is beautiful.)
- Maravilhoso / Maravilhosa
- Meaning: Wonderful, marvelous
- Pronunciation: mah-rah-vee-LHOH-soh / mah-rah-vee-LHOH-sah
- Example:
- “A comida estava maravilhosa.” (The food was wonderful.)
- “Ela tem uma voz maravilhosa.” (She has a wonderful voice.)
- Encantador / Encantadora
- Meaning: Charming, enchanting
- Pronunciation: en-kahn-tah-DOHR / en-kahn-tah-DOH-rah
- Example:
- “Ela tem um sorriso encantador.” (She has a charming smile.)
- “Essa cidade é encantadora.” (This city is enchanting.)
Other Ways to Compliment Beauty in Portuguese
- Deslumbrante
- Meaning: Stunning, dazzling
- Pronunciation: dehz-loom-BRAHN-chee
- Example: “Ela estava deslumbrante no evento.” (She was stunning at the event.)
- Formoso / Formosa
- Meaning: Graceful, lovely (used poetically)
- Pronunciation: fohr-MOH-soh / fohr-MOH-sah
- Example: “A noite está formosa.” (The night is lovely.)
- Radiante
- Meaning: Radiant, glowing
- Pronunciation: rah-dee-AHN-chee
- Example: “Você está radiante hoje.” (You are glowing today.)
- Estonteante
- Meaning: Astonishing, breathtaking
- Pronunciation: eh-ston-chee-AHN-chee
- Example: “Ela tem uma beleza estonteante.” (She has breathtaking beauty.)
- Magnífico / Magnífica
- Meaning: Magnificent, splendid
- Pronunciation: mahg-NEE-fee-koh / mahg-NEE-fee-kah
- Example: “A vista é magnífica.” (The view is magnificent.)
- Atraente
- Meaning: Attractive, appealing
- Pronunciation: ah-trah-EN-chee
- Example: “O novo modelo é muito atraente.” (The new model is very attractive.)
- Deslumbrador / Deslumbradora
- Meaning: Dazzling, eye-catching
- Pronunciation: dehz-loom-brah-DAW-dor / dehz-loom-brah-DAW-doh-rah
- Example: “Ela tem um vestido deslumbrador.” (She has a dazzling dress.)
- Chic
- Meaning: Stylish, elegant
- Pronunciation: sheek
- Example: “A decoração está muito chic.” (The decor is very stylish.)
- Glorioso / Gloriosa
- Meaning: Glorious, splendid
- Pronunciation: glo-ree-OH-soh / glo-ree-OH-sah
- Example: “Foi um evento glorioso.” (It was a glorious event.)
- Sublime
- Meaning: Sublime, exquisite
- Pronunciation: soo-BLEEM
- Example: “A comida estava sublime.” (The food was exquisite.)
- Exuberante
- Meaning: Exuberant, vibrant
- Pronunciation: eh-zu-beh-RAHN-chee
- Example: “O jardim está exuberante.” (The garden is vibrant.)
- Pitoresco / Pitoresca
- Meaning: Picturesque, charming
- Pronunciation: pee-toh-REHS-koh / pee-toh-REHS-kah
- Example: “O vilarejo é pitoresco.” (The village is charming.)
- Fascinante
- Meaning: Fascinating, captivating
- Pronunciation: fah-see-NAHN-chee
- Example: “O filme foi fascinante.” (The movie was captivating.)
- Agradável
- Meaning: Pleasant, delightful
- Pronunciation: ah-grah-DAH-veh-l
- Example: “A recepção foi muito agradável.” (The reception was very pleasant.)
- Radiante
- Meaning: Radiant, shining
- Pronunciation: rah-dee-AHN-chee
- Example: “Ela está radiante de felicidade.” (She is radiant with happiness.)
- Irresistível
- Meaning: Irresistible, enchanting
- Pronunciation: ee-ree-zees-TEE-veh-l
- Example: “O sorriso dela é irresistível.” (Her smile is irresistible.)
- Atraente
- Meaning: Attractive, appealing
- Pronunciation: ah-trah-EN-chee
- Example: “O novo design é muito atraente.” (The new design is very attractive.)
- Estético / Estética
- Meaning: Aesthetic, pleasing
- Pronunciation: es-TEH-tee-koh / es-TEH-tee-kah
- Example: “O projeto tem um valor estético.” (The project has aesthetic value.)
- Charmoso / Charmosa
- Meaning: Charming, lovely
- Pronunciation: shar-MOH-zoh / shar-MOH-zah
- Example: “O café é muito charmoso.” (The café is very charming.)
- Estiloso / Estilosa
- Meaning: Stylish, fashionable
- Pronunciation: esh-tee-LOH-zoh / esh-tee-LOH-zah
- Example: “Ela está sempre estilosa.” (She is always stylish.)
- Atraente
- Meaning: Attractive, appealing
- Pronunciation: ah-trah-EN-chee
- Example: “O novo modelo é atraente.” (The new model is attractive.)
- Aprazível
- Meaning: Pleasant, agreeable
- Pronunciation: ah-prah-ZEE-veh-l
- Example: “O ambiente é aprazível.” (The atmosphere is pleasant.)
- Envolvente
- Meaning: Engaging, captivating
- Pronunciation: en-vol-VEHN-chee
- Example: “A história é muito envolvente.” (The story is very engaging.)
- Glamouroso / Glamourosa
- Meaning: Glamorous, dazzling
- Pronunciation: glah-mooh-ROH-zoh / glah-mooh-ROH-zah
- Example: “Ela estava glamourosa na festa.” (She was glamorous at the party.)
- Luminosa
- Meaning: Luminous, bright
- Pronunciation: loo-mee-NOH-zah
- Example: “A sala está luminosa com as luzes novas.” (The room is luminous with the new lights.)
How to Use These Compliments
- Bonito / Bonita, Lindo / Linda are perfect for everyday compliments and are widely used in both formal and informal settings.
- Belo / Bela tends to sound a bit more poetic and is great for describing art, nature, or someone’s appearance in a more elegant way.
- Maravilhoso / Maravilhosa and Encantador / Encantadora can be used to express deeper admiration, often beyond just looks, like talent or personality.
- Deslumbrante, Radiante, Estonteante, and Magnífico are powerful words to use when you want to leave a strong impression, perfect for special occasions or to elevate your compliment.
Quick Examples in Conversations
Scenario 1: Complimenting Someone’s Appearance
- Person A: “Você está linda hoje!” (You look beautiful today!)
- Person B: “Obrigada!” (Thank you!)
Scenario 2: Admiring a Place
- Person A: “Este lugar é deslumbrante.” (This place is stunning.)
- Person B: “Sim, é verdade.” (Yes, it’s true.)
Scenario 3: Describing Art or Nature
- Person A: “Aquela pintura é magnífica.” (That painting is magnificent.)
- Person B: “Concordo, é bela.” (I agree, it’s beautiful.)
Conclusion
Knowing how to say “beautiful” in Portuguese goes beyond just a word—it’s about connecting with people and culture in a deeper way. Whether you’re traveling, complimenting someone, or simply enjoying a beautiful view, these expressions will help you communicate more genuinely. Practice using them in everyday conversations, and soon you’ll be confidently expressing beauty in Portuguese!