{"id":7014,"date":"2022-08-17T18:12:18","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=7014"},"modified":"2022-08-17T18:12:18","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:12:18","slug":"bonita-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/bonita-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Bonita \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spanish is one of the most well-known languages in the world, and it is no surprise that many Spanish words have made their way into the English lexicon.<\/p>\n

If you want a nice way to compliment the looks of an attractive girl, \u201cbonita\u201d is the phrase for you.<\/p>\n

This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The term \u201cbonita\u201d translates from Spanish to mean \u201cbeautiful\u201d or \u201cpretty\u201d. It is a way of complimenting a woman or object\u2019s physical appearance, but is not used to describe one\u2019s personality. Bonita can be used in place of beautiful, especially when referring to a woman or female. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The phrase is used as an adjective to describe something. It is only used for women, as there is a masculine counterpart to the word, \u201cbonito\u201d. \u201cBonita\u201d can also be used as an exclamation at the beginning or end of a sentence to really emphasize the beauty of something.<\/p>\n

The phrase can be used as a noun to refer to someone instead of their name, but context is important in these situations. In terms of relationships, \u201cbonita\u201d is seen as a more serious, affectionate word, so couples typically do not use it straight away. More information can be found in the video (here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cThat girl is so bonita.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBonita! That dress looks amazing on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you met Mike\u2019s girlfriend? She is very bonita.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRachel looked amazing in her wedding dress. The whole ceremony was so bonita.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sunset is bonita. I have never seen one like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmber\u2019s new haircut looks so good. She looks very bonita with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The term is used in both Spanish and Portuguese culture. Though commonly used as an adjective now, it was a very popular name for female babies in Spanish-speaking countries over the past few decades, especially in the fifties, with a little more than two hundred baby girls being named \u201cBonita\u201d in 1951 alone. There is even a Brazilian island given the name \u201cLa Isla Bonita\u201d, or \u201cBeautiful Island\u201d.<\/p>\n

This term is often considered very intimate and affectionate. In terms of relationships, a man may hold off on calling his partner \u201cbonita\u201d until a few months in, as it is typically seen as such a special nickname. But in more day-to-day situations, it is common to hear both Spanish-speakers and now English speakers alike using the phrase to refer to an object\u2019s beauty or to compliment a woman\u2019s appearance in a casual way.<\/p>\n

Phrases Similar to Bonita<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • \u201cLinda\u201d, which means \u201cpretty\u201d<\/li>\n
  • \u201cHermosa\u201d, which means \u201cbeautiful\u201d<\/li>\n
  • \u201cGuapa\u201d, which also means \u201cbeautiful\u201d<\/li>\n
  • \u201cPreciosa\u201d, which means \u201cgorgeous\u201d<\/li>\n
  • \u201cBella\u201d, which means \u201cbeautiful\u201d or \u201clovely\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Phrases Opposite to Bonita<\/h2>\n
      \n
    • Ugly\/unattractive\/etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      What is the Correct Saying?<\/h2>\n
        \n
      • \u201cBonita\u201d translates from Spanish to mean \u201cbeautiful\u201d or \u201cpretty\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Ways People May Incorrectly Say Bonita<\/h2>\n

        This phrase is used to compliment a woman or object\u2019s beauty. Using the term to mean anything else- such as, if you meant to call them ugly- would be incorrect. Some ways that \u201cbonita\u201d is used incorrectly are:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Did you see how bad Amy looked yesterday? She was bonita!<\/li>\n
        • That is the ugliest car I have ever seen. It is very bonita.<\/li>\n
        • All of the grass on the lawn is dead. It is a very bonita garden.<\/li>\n
        • That dress has a bunch of holes in it and it does not fit right. It is bonita!<\/li>\n
        • That building is clearly falling apart and has shattered glass everywhere. It is a very bonita building.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Acceptable Ways to Phrase Bonita<\/h2>\n
            \n
          • You look very bonita in that dress, Ashley.<\/li>\n
          • Rebecca had her hair and makeup done at school yesterday. She looked very bonita.<\/li>\n
          • Did you see that painting Amanda made? It was so bonita.<\/li>\n
          • I love all of the furniture in your house. It is very bonita.<\/li>\n
          • I love how you painted the walls in your bedroom. This is a very bonita purple color.<\/li>\n
          • Hola bonita, I would love to talk to you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Spanish is one of the most well-known languages in the world, and it is no surprise that many Spanish words have made their way into the English lexicon. If you want a nice way to compliment the looks of an attractive girl, \u201cbonita\u201d is the phrase for you. This post unpacks the meaning and origin […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7014"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7014"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8016,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7014\/revisions\/8016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}