убав
ubav[ˈubaf]
The English word 'beautiful' is translated into Macedonian as убав (ubav). Wiktionary also lists прекрасен (prekrasen).
Meaning: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Macedonian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| убав | ubav | [ˈubaf] (narrow) |
| прекрасен | prekrasen | [ˈprɛkrasɛn] (narrow) |
The term убав is a common adjective used to describe something attractive. Beyond physical beauty, it is frequently used to mean 'nice', 'good' or 'pleasant', such as describing a nice person or nice weather.
Which one should you use?
While убав is used for 'beautiful' or 'nice', the word прекрасен is a stronger term meaning wonderful, magnificent or exquisite.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective убав must agree in gender with the noun it describes. Use the feminine form убава for feminine nouns, the neuter form убаво for neuter nouns or abstract concepts and the plural form убави when describing multiple people or objects.
How do you pronounce it?
ubav
Did you know?
- The word убав might have traces of Persian ancestry, potentially linking it to the Persian word خوب which also means 'good'.
- While убав describes beauty, the word прекрасен is literally built from a prefix meaning 'over' or 'beyond' and a root meaning 'beautiful'.
- In Macedonian, the concept of 'beauty' is often tied to 'goodness', making убав a versatile term for moral character as well as looks.
Examples in context
- Тоа не е убаво.That is not beautiful.This sentence shows how to use the negation with убав.Tatoeba #4172399 by Lepotdeterre, translation #4170295 by Wuzzy
- Да, тоа е убаво.Yes, that's beautiful.This sentence provides a positive affirmation using убав.Tatoeba #4117030 by Lepotdeterre, translation #2093302 by gleki
- Очите и се убави.Her eyes are beautiful.This sentence demonstrates the plural form убави used with the noun eyes.Tatoeba #4092251 by Lepotdeterre, translation #4165762 by Lepotdeterre
- Вашиот град е прекрасенYour city is beautiful.
- Вашата торта е разкошнаYour cake is gorgeous.
- Оваа книга е убаваThis book is beautiful.
- Ти си лепаYou are pretty.
- 92 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marco and Elena are looking at a new park.
- Марко MarkoЕлена, погледни го овој парк.Elena, pogledni go ovoj park.Elena, look at this park.
- Елена ElenaДа, многу е убав.Da, mnogu e ubav.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- Марко MarkoТи си убава денес.Ti si ubava denes.You look beautiful today.
- Елена ElenaТи благодарам, Марко.Ti blagodaram, Marko.Thank you, Marko.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries убав, прекрасен, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries убав, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
