Spanish speakers: Question about connotations in Spanish and English...?

Question

I always attach a slightly different meaning to every synonym of a word in English, and I can't see that this would be different in any other language. So, is it the same in Spanish that every word has a slightly different meaning?

I ask because I recently asked a question on the Spanish Yahoo! Answers about the different connotations of various words (I asked specifically about lindo/a, bello/a, guapo/a, hermoso/a, etc). Almost every response just said that they were just synonyms, but I already knew that. (I think part of the problem was that I'm sure it was very easy to tell that I'm a non-native speaker, so maybe they just thought I was asking about what these words meant.)

I've asked Spanish speakers before to correct me on when to use certain synonyms (like, which is more appropriate here, "chistoso" or "gracioso"?), and they usually just tell me that they are synonyms and leave it at that.

Am I not being clear enough with such questions, or is there really no difference?

Just to clarify, because I think I wrote this question horribly, I had wanted to ask people which word is more appropriate when... like, is one more formal? Is one not really used for kids/people/dogs/inanimate objects/etc? Like in English, you can say that a woman is "handsome" but it's often meant in a smarmier kind of way.

Because this question was horribly worded, let me know if I can clarify more. Thanks.

Wow, these are all awesome answers so far!! Muchas gracias!

Answer 1

I think the issue is that native speakers are not aware that they use these words in different settings. In other words, they know how to use them, but they don't know how to DESCRIBE the way they use them. It's like if I asked you to describe the difference between "cute" and "pretty". I think you would have a hard time coming up with a definitive answer, but you definitely sense a difference between them.

A better way to get at this kind of information is to make a little test and see if there is a consensus on how native speakers answer. For example, you could put down a bunch of words like
niña
señora
edificio
and ask them to supply adjectives that would describe each of the nouns. If native speakers seem to agree, then you have your answer. (In the case of the question you're asking, the test I propose might not be the BEST way to get at the question, but I think you see what I'm saying. Don't ask them about the language, but just ask them to use it, and then see what they do.)

Here's my answer to the lindo/bello/guapo question, by the way:
Guapo seems to be talking about the person's attractiveness, as in "good-looking", physically attractive.
Lindo seems to me to talk more about the person's personality and character. I often hear linda used when we are talking about a person that we both like, for example. So I would translate linda as "beautiful", but talking more as in the sense of "beautiful person", a person who has a good heart.
I don't often hear hermoso used for people, but Spanish speakers do use it in a beautiful building. Precioso, same thing.
I don't hear bello much either, but I believe it has more to say about the person's outer appearance than their inner personality.
I would translate bonito as "cute", i.e. it's most appropriate for kids, dogs, and other "cute" situations.

I'm not really done forming my opinion on that question, but I hope these ideas help!

Answer 2

yes, there is a difference.
in words like : lindo/a, bello/a, guapo/a, hermoso/a, you are talking about levels of beauty. Like in english you have works like beautiful, pretty, gorgeous. They are synonyms but there's a small difference between them.
with chistoso and gracioso: well, they mean the same, but when you use them may be different. For example, "chistoso" is a word you use in your daily talk. But if you are around teachers, your boss, or people like that I would suggest that you use "gracioso".
It's normal that you worry about it. Because in spanish you have more words, it seems like english is more limited. With that I mean that one word has multiple meanings.

Answer 3

I think that in many cases it depends on the country, province, city, area, age, family background, etc. There are a lot of factors that make a word be said in one way or another when they have the same meaning . For example in the case of lindo or bello, in Argentina some people may say lindo (more used in the capital city) and some others bello (more used in provinces) although they mean the same thing.

Answer 4

Wow ... I hope I can help, but I don't know ... anyway, here goes ...

You would never use Hermoso for a guy even though you put the "o" on the end. Hermosa is almost always used for a girl and calling a guy hermoso would be like calling him beautiful in english instead of handsome. Same goes for guapo ... you don't use guapa for a girl .. that would be like calling her handsome in english even though you stuck an "a" at the end. I hope you follow this ... Not trying to confuse you ...

Now, you can use Lindo for a guy and Linda for a girl for example estan linda ... "she's cute/pretty" or estan lindo (for a young boy) ... as in "he's cute/hansome", but a limit has to be drawn as to what age you're using for the guy ... you wouldn't use "lindo" for any guy over the age of say ... 12 ...

Well have a good one.

Answer 5

I think the diffierences have more to do with the context in which they're being used, as well as the people being described. The easy answer is, "yes, they're all synonyms." Some of it is also regional (colloquial.) For instance: where I live, "lindo/a" is typically used for describing a child. "Bello/a" tends to be more formal. Your question was good. Hope this helped...

Answer 6

It means the same. If you tell a person:You are " hermosa" or " linda" or "bella", it means that she is pretty. Most of the time it will means the same. like: chistoso and gracioso: funny. Spanish has many words that means the same, you can use them and the person will understand what you're trying to say.

Answer 7

I have the same question. For instance, I have been told that "gracioso" means funny. (This is how a subtitle in a movie recently translated funny.) But someone who is "funny" in English is someone who makes you laugh. Does it mean someone who is fun? (Very different from someone who is funny.) Divertido?

I think this is a very legitimate question. Once I called someone "fastidioso" thinking it meant fastidious. But it means annoying! (Right?) Please native speakers, help us with these subtleties. And we will help you back!

Answer 8

No, incorrect. The correct translation is: "Hoy en el barco, voy a la piscina. Me gusta ir a la piscina porque me gusta nadar y estar en el sol."