Vous êtes belle
feminine, polite
To a woman say Tu es belle if you call her tu, or Vous êtes belle if you are being polite. Belle is the feminine form of beau. It is also called Vous êtes magnifique.
Meaning: compliment about looks (adjective)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Vous êtes belle | feminine, polite |
| Tu es belle | feminine, informal |
| Vous êtes magnifique | any gender |
With a woman you do not know well, a compliment like Vous êtes très élégante is safer. Remember that élégante also takes the feminine e.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine beau is for a man. Magnifique, superbe and splendide do not change with gender.
How do you pronounce it?
Belle sounds like "bel".
Did you know?
- Because the feminine belle and the masculine beau differ, the masculine form bel appears before vowels, as in un bel homme.
Examples in context
- Vous êtes très belle ce soir.You are very beautiful tonight.
- Tu es magnifique.You are gorgeous.
- Vous êtes très élégante.You are very elegant.
Example conversation
Paul compliments his colleague Claire at a gala dinner in Paris.
- PaulBonsoir, Claire. Vous êtes très belle.Good evening, Claire. You are very beautiful.
- ClaireMerci, vous êtes aimable.Thank you, you are kind.
- PaulPuis-je vous offrir un verre ?May I offer you a drink?
- ClaireAvec plaisir.With pleasure.
