你很漂亮
nǐ hěn piàoliang
The English phrase 'you're beautiful' is translated into Chinese as 你很漂亮 (nǐ hěn piàoliang).
你很漂亮 (nǐ hěn piàoliang) is a common and straightforward way to tell someone they are physically attractive. The term 漂亮 (piàoliang) can also be used to describe things that are visually impressive or 'beautiful' in a non-human sense, such as a performance or a piece of work.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase 你很漂亮, the word 很 (hěn) functions as a grammatical linker between the subject and the adjective and is often translated as 'very' even when it is just a neutral connector.
Which one should you use?
While 你很漂亮 (nǐ hěn piàoliang) is a common way to say someone is beautiful or pretty, 你很美 (nǐ hěn měi) carries a more profound, elegant or poetic connotation of beauty.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ hěn piàoliang
Did you know?
- To express that someone's beauty is 'breathtaking', Chinese speakers might use the idiom 倾国倾城 (qīng guó qīng chéng), which literally means 'to overthrow cities and nations'.
- The character 美 (měi) in 你很美 is the same character used in the word for 'America', which is 美国 (Měiguó).
- While 漂亮 (piàoliang) is the standard for 'beautiful', younger generations often use the English-influenced term 颜值 (yánzhí), which literally means 'face value'.
Examples in context
- 你很漂亮.You're beautiful.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 你很漂亮.Tatoeba #1928569 by EDOBEAR, translation #863592 by Daga007
- 你很漂亮，愿你永远保持笑容。You're beautiful, may you always keep smiling.
- 美到不行，每次看到你都让我心情愉悦。You are extremely beautiful, every time I see you, it brightens my mood.
- 我觉得你很漂亮。Wǒ juéde nǐ hěn piàoliang.I think you are beautiful.
Example conversation
Wei compliments Xiaowen on her appearance before a date.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我今天看起来怎么样？Wǒ jīntiān kàn qǐlái zěnmeyàng?How do I look today?
- 伟 Wei你很漂亮，晓雯。Nǐ hěn piàoliang, Xiǎowén.You're beautiful, Xiaowen.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢你的夸奖！Xièxie nǐ de kuājiǎng!Thank you for the compliment!
- 伟 Wei这是事实。Zhè shì shìshí.It's a fact.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
