Du bist schön
The English phrase "you are beautiful" is translated into German as Du bist schön.
This phrase is used as a compliment to tell someone that they are physically or aesthetically attractive.
Which one should you use?
Du bist schön is a stronger and more profound compliment than Du bist hübsch, which translates more closely to "You are pretty". You can also use Du bist wunderschön to express that someone's beauty is exceptional. Adding the prefix wunder- to schön creates wunderschön, meaning "wonderfully beautiful".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Swabian German, you can say Du bisch schee.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing someone formally, such as a stranger or a superior, use Sie sind schön instead of Du bist schön.
Did you know?
- The word schön is often used as a synonym for 'quite' or 'considerably' when modifying another adjective, such as in the phrase schön viel meaning 'quite a lot'.
- The word schön can be used ironically to describe a disaster, such as Das ist ja schön geworden when something has gone completely wrong.
- German has a specific word Bildhübsch, which literally translates to 'picture-pretty', describing someone so beautiful they look like a painting.
Examples in context
- Die Leute sagten Maria, sie sei niedlich, doch der Spiegel sagte: „Du bist weit mehr als niedlich: du bist schön!“People told Maria that she was cute, but the mirror said: "You are much more than cute, you are beautiful!"This sentence is useful for illustrating the difference between being called cute and being called beautiful using Du bist schön.Tatoeba #2672616 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3124081 by Hybrid
- Du bist schön.You are beautiful.This is a simple example of the phrase Du bist schön.Tatoeba #517361 by tubibubi, translation #20097 by CK
- Sie sind wunderschön. Ihre Eleganz ist beeindruckend.You are beautiful. Your elegance is impressive.
- Du bist schön. Dein Lächeln bringt Freude in den Raum.You are beautiful. Your smile brings joy into the room.
- Du bist schön!You are beautiful!
Example conversation
A romantic dinner at a restaurant.
- JulianDu siehst heute toll aus.You look great today.
- LauraDanke, Julian. Das ist lieb von dir.Thank you, Julian. That is sweet of you.
- JulianDu bist schön, Laura.You are beautiful, Laura.
- LauraDu machst mich glücklich.You make me happy.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
