Using the word "hot" as "beautiful/attractive"?

Question

How can I use the word "Hot" as "Beautiful/attractive" in Spanish?

To translate:

She is a hot girl

I am thinking on using:

Ella esta una bonita chica

Ella es tan caliente

Do the above sentences make sense in Spanish?

Answer 1

• Ella esta una bonita chica

Do the above sentences make sense in spanish?

The above phrase doesn't make sense because it's a literal translation of the verb to be. One of the main differences between English and Spanish, and one of the most common mistakes English speakers make when learning.

• Ella es tan Caliente

Also, I agree with @Paco in that 'caliente' can mean horny in many places. But, you can use 'bonita' or 'bonito' when referring to people too. It is specially common when referring to babies or girls, for example. It relates with an attractive cuteness, as opposed to sexy.

So, when meaning hot, you can use the word 'sexy'. One of many anglicisms Spanish language uses.

Answer 2

Actually, estar caliente means "to be horny", so careful. In Spain we say estar bueno (which is different from ser bueno "to be good"). The adjective bonito is not normally used for people, only for animals or objects.

Also remember that most of the times, the adjective goes after the noun.

Answer 3

I believe that a better translation of hot is sensual. Hot refers to sexual attractiveness and not simply to beauty (in the traditional way). So for She is hot, you could say:

Ella es (muy) sensual

Beautiful is translated as Hermosa/o. Traditionally Bonito/a is not as attractive/graced as Beautiful/Hermosa.

Bonito/a is a very good translation for Pretty. When you say pretty, you refer to certain cuteness/attractiveness that does not necessarily match perfectly with the traditional beautiful.

Beautiful refers more to the correction/perfection of the features. Of course, someone Beautiful can also be considered Hot, but when you use one word or the other you are highlighting different things.

Also if when you say hot you want to highlight that the person you are talking about has, lets say "big curves", you can use "voluptuosa", as in:

Es una mujer (muy)voluptuosa

Finally, I want to clarify that words such as Beautiful/Hermosa, Pretty/Bonita, are usually used interchangeably. I mean, when you call your girlfriend Pretty/Bonita, is not as you are thinking "you are just pretty not beautiful".

Answer 4

As always, the phrase "She is a hot girl" can be translated in different ways depending of the area. Where I come from (Puerto Rico), this is the formal way we use:

¡Ella es muy bonita / hermosa / preciosa!

If you are talking with friends, for example, you may hear these other variations:

¡Ella está bien buena!

¡Ella está bien dura!

or using a simile:

¡Ella está mas dura que las tablas de multiplicar!

Please note that using the last three phrases (especially the last two) may be considered pejorative for some people.