挺好看
tǐng hǎokàn
In Chinese, "looking good" is expressed as 挺好看 (tǐng hǎokàn).
The phrase 挺好看 is a compliment used to describe something or someone that is visually attractive. You can use it to describe the appearance of people as well as inanimate objects, such as a piece of clothing or a specific design.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 挺 (quite/very), 好 (good) and 看 (to look/to see), meaning "quite good-looking".
Which one should you use?
While 挺好看 specifically means "quite good-looking", the shorter version 好看 simply means "good-looking" or "pretty".
How does it change in a sentence?
In many contexts, the word 挺 is often paired with the particle 的 at the end of the phrase to form the pattern 挺好看的.
How do you pronounce it?
tǐng hǎokàn
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone and context, 好看 can be used sarcastically to mean 'trouble' or 'a mess'. The phrase 你看他好看! can be used to imply that someone is about to get into a lot of trouble.
- In China, giving a compliment like 挺好看的 to a stranger or acquaintance is often met with a polite refusal or denial. It is a cultural norm to show modesty by disagreeing with the praise.
- The word 好看 is a 'resultative compound', where 看 is the action and 好 is the result. It literally suggests that the act of looking at the object results in a 'good' feeling.
Examples in context
- 你太美了，照片里的笑容真迷人！You look so beautiful, your smile in the photo is really charming!
- 你今天穿得挺好看。Nǐ jīntiān chuān de tǐng hǎokàn.You are looking good in what you are wearing today.
Example conversation
Zihan is trying on a new dress at a clothing store.
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，你穿这件挺好看。Zǐhán, nǐ chuān zhè jiàn tǐng hǎokàn.Zihan, you are looking good in this one.
- 梓涵 Zihan真的吗？谢谢你。Zhēn de ma? Xièxiè nǐ.Really? Thank you.
- 浩然 Haoran颜色也很适合你。Yánsè yě hěn shìhé nǐ.The color suits you well, too.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我决定买这件了。Nà wǒ juédìng mǎi zhè jiàn le.Then I have decided to buy this one.
