Portuguese · Emotions & Descriptions

"Handsome" in Portuguese: bonito

bonito

Say it: boh-NEE-tooadjective/bo.ˈni.tu/

Note: also: lindo

Handsome in Portuguese is bonito. Brazilians also say lindo for stronger praise. For a woman you would use bonita or linda—same adjectives as beautiful.

Photo comment

Seu irmão ficou muito bonito nessa foto.
Your brother looks really handsome in that photo.
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How to pronounce bonito

Say it

boh-NEE-too

/bo.ˈni.tu/

boh-NEE-too. Lindo is LEEN-doo.

"Handsome" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
bonitohandsome / good-looking

Default for a man.

lindogorgeous, very handsome

Stronger compliment.

bonitãoreally handsome (augmentative)

Playful praise.

eleganteelegant

Style-focused compliment.

How to use bonito in real life

  1. 1Photo comment

    Seu irmão ficou muito bonito nessa foto.

    Your brother looks really handsome in that photo.

    Bonito for masculine subject.

  2. 2Friendly tease

    Hoje você está bonito de blazer.

    You look handsome in a blazer today.

    Estar + bonito for right now.

  3. 3Stronger praise

    Nossa, que ator lindo—muito bonito mesmo.

    Wow, what a handsome actor—really good-looking.

    Lindo and bonito pair naturally.

Mistakes English speakers make with bonito

Incorrect: Ele é bonita.

Correct: Ele é bonito.

Match gender: masculine subject → bonito.

Incorrect: Ele é handsome.

Correct: Ele é bonito.

Use bonito or lindo.

Good to know

Portuguese does not need a separate handsome word—bonito covers pretty and handsome. Lindo is warmer and very Brazilian in casual compliments.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Getting ready for a date

  1. ChatPal

    Essa camisa deixa você bonito.

    That shirt makes you look handsome.

  2. You

    Sério? Acho que estou ok, não bonito.

    Really? I think I look just okay, not handsome.

  3. ChatPal

    Confia. Você está bem bonito hoje.

    Trust me. You look really handsome today.

  4. You

    Valeu. Bonito ou não, estou nervoso.

    Thanks. Handsome or not, I'm nervous.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Handsome" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Handsome" in Portuguese

How do I say handsome?

Bonito; stronger: lindo.

For a woman?

Bonita / linda.

Ser or estar?

É for general looks; está for today.

Same as beautiful?

Yes—same adjectives.

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  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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