Ways to say it
| Emirati Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| جميل | jameel | masculine |
| جميلة | jameela | feminine |
| حلو | hilu | informal, masculine |
For a woman or feminine noun, Emiratis say جميلة (jameela) instead. Both describe people, places and things, from a sunset to a dress, and حلو, 'sweet, nice', is a more casual alternative used constantly in daily speech.
What does it mean word for word?
جميل and جميلة are shared with Standard Arabic and used widely across the Gulf. حلو literally means 'sweet' and is used figuratively for anything pleasing.
Which one should you use?
جميل and جميلة are the direct words for 'beautiful'. حلو is lighter and more casual, closer to 'nice' or 'lovely'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
جميل and جميلة suit any setting. حلو is informal, used with friends and family.
Is it said differently in some regions?
All three forms are common across the UAE and the wider Gulf.
How does it change in a sentence?
Each adjective agrees with gender, جميل or حلو for masculine, جميلة or حلوة for feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
جميل is said 'ja-MEEL', with a long stressed vowel.
Did you know?
- Dubai's skyline, including the Burj Khalifa, has become one of the most photographed backdrops in the Gulf, often described simply as جميل, 'beautiful'.
Examples in context
- دبي مدينة جميلة وايد.Dubai madeena jameela wayed.Dubai is a very beautiful city.
- الفستان ده حلو عليكي.el-fostan da hilu alayki.This dress is beautiful on you.
- المنظر من البرج جميل جدا.el-manzar min el-borj jameel jedan.The view from the tower is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Two friends, Aisha and Latifa, admire the view from a rooftop in Dubai.
- Aishaشوفي، المنظر من هنا جميل وايد.shoofi, el-manzar min hena jameel wayed.Look, the view from here is very beautiful.
- Latifaوالله جميل، الأضوية حلوة بالليل.wallah jameel, el-adwiya hilwa bel-leil.It really is beautiful, the lights are lovely at night.
- Aishaيلا نصور قبل ما نروح.yalla nsawwer 'abl ma nrooh.Let's take a photo before we go.
- Latifaفكرة جميلة، تعالي هنا.fikra jameela, ta'ali hena.Beautiful idea, come here.
