تبدو جميلا
tabdu jamilan
In Arabic, the phrase for "looking beautiful" is تبدو جميلا (tabdu jamilan).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they appear attractive at the moment.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb تبدو (tabdu) literally means "you appear" or "you seem".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the expression زي العسل (like honey) is used to describe someone looking stunning. You may also use the colloquial phrase زي القمر (like the moon) to describe someone looking exceptionally stunning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on who you are addressing. Use تبدو جميلاً when speaking to a man, and تبدو جميلة when speaking to a woman. If you are speaking to a group of men or a mixed group, use the masculine plural form تبدون جميلين.
How do you pronounce it?
tabdu jamilan
Did you know?
- If you want to say someone is 'the moon' in a poetic way, you can say قمر ١٤ (moon 14). This refers to a full moon on its fourteenth night, representing the peak of brightness and perfection.
- In many Middle Eastern cultures, complimenting someone's appearance can sometimes be followed by a phrase to ward off the 'evil eye'. This is a cultural reflex to ensure the compliment does not bring bad luck.
- The root of the word جميل (beautiful) is also linked to the concept of 'grace' or 'kindness' in Arabic thought. Beauty is often viewed as a harmonious or kind quality rather than just a visual one.
Examples in context
- أنتَ تَبْدو حلوًا اليومYou look beautiful today (masculine form)
- يا لها من فتاة زي القمر!What a girl, looking beautiful like the moon!
- أنتَ تَبْدو زي العسل اليومYou look beautiful like honey today (masculine form)
- أنت تبدو جميلا اليوم.anta tabdu jamilan al-yawm.You look beautiful today.
- لماذا تبدو جميلا هكذا فجأة؟limadha tabdu jamilan hakadha faj'atan?Why do you look so beautiful suddenly?
- أنت تبدو جميلا في هذه الصورة.anta tabdu jamilan fi hadhihi al-sura.You look beautiful in this photo.
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are getting ready for a party.
- زياد Ziadليلى، أنتِ تبدين جميلة جداً!Layla, anti tabdina jamila jiddan!Layla, you are looking very beautiful!
- ليلى Laylaشكراً لك يا زياد.Shukran laka ya Ziyad.Thank you, Ziad.
- ليلى Laylaوأنت أيضاً تبدو جميلا اليوم.Wa anta aydan tabdu jamilan al-yawm.And you are also looking beautiful today.
- زياد Ziadهذا لطف منكِ.Hadha lutf minki.That is kind of you.
