Learning how to express the word “pretty” in Mandarin can be quite useful when describing objects, people, or even situations. In this guide, you’ll discover various ways to say “pretty” in Mandarin, including both formal and informal expressions. While Mandarin has a rich linguistic diversity across different regions, we will primarily focus on universal terms. Let’s dive in and explore the beauty of Mandarin vocabulary!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Pretty” in Mandarin
When it comes to formal expressions, Mandarin offers a range of terms to convey beauty and prettiness. Here are some commonly used words:
- 美丽 (měilì): This word is the most straightforward term for “pretty” in Mandarin. It can be used to describe both people and objects. For example, “她是个很美丽的女孩” (tā shì gè hěn měilì de nǚhái) means “She is a very pretty girl.”
- 漂亮 (piàoliang): Another popular term for “pretty” is 漂亮, which is often used to describe physical beauty. You can use it to compliment someone’s appearance, such as saying “你今天打扮得很漂亮” (nǐ jīntiān dǎbàn de hěn piàoliang), meaning “You look very pretty today.”
- 秀丽 (xiùlì): This term is often used to describe natural beauty, particularly in scenic landscapes or surroundings. For instance, “这个公园的景色非常秀丽” (zhègè gōngyuán de jǐngsè fēicháng xiùlì) translates to “The scenery of this park is exceptionally beautiful.”
Informal Ways to Say “Pretty” in Mandarin
Informal expressions are more casual and commonly used in daily conversations. Here are several informal terms to express “pretty” in Mandarin:
- 漂亮 (piàoliang): While this term is also a formal expression, it is widely used in informal contexts to describe someone or something as “pretty” or “beautiful.” For example, you can say “这件衣服很漂亮” (zhè jiàn yīfú hěn piàoliang) to mean “This dress is very pretty.”
- 好看 (hǎokàn): This term is commonly used in informal conversations to express that something or someone is “good-looking” or “attractive.” It can be used to describe physical appearances, fashion, or even artistic creations. For instance, you can say “这部电影很好看” (zhè bù diànyǐng hěn hǎokàn), which means “This movie is very pretty/good-looking.”
- 靓 (liàng): This informal term is widely used in certain areas of China, such as Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, and Macau. It is a colloquial abbreviation of 漂亮 and is used to describe someone as “pretty” or “beautiful.” For example, you might hear someone say “佢好靓呀” (kéui hóu lìhng a) in Cantonese, which means “She is very pretty.”
Using “Pretty” in Sentences
Now that you are familiar with both formal and informal ways to say “pretty” in Mandarin, let’s explore how to use these terms in sentences:
Example 1: 他的画儿非常美丽。
Pinyin: Tā de huàr fēicháng měilì.
Translation: His painting is extremely pretty.
Example 2: 这些花是如此漂亮。
Pinyin: Zhèxiē huā shì rúcǐ piàoliang.
Translation: These flowers are so pretty.
Example 3: 他女朋友真的好看。
Pinyin: Tā nǚpéngyou zhēn de hǎokàn.
Translation: His girlfriend is really pretty.
Feel free to adapt these examples to your own vocabulary and create personalized sentences to practice using the word “pretty.” The more you practice, the more confident you will become in incorporating these terms into your Mandarin conversations.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned various ways to say “pretty” in Mandarin, both formally and informally, you can confidently express admiration when describing people, objects, or situations. Remember that Mandarin has regional variations, and some colloquial terms may vary across different areas. However, the terms covered in this guide are understood and commonly used in many parts of China. Continue exploring Mandarin vocabulary and phrases to enrich your language skills and enhance your cultural understanding! 加油! (Jiāyóu! – Let’s go/Keep it up!)
