elle est belle
The English phrase "she is beautiful" is translated into French as elle est belle.
The phrase is used to state that a female person is physically or aesthetically attractive. Depending on the level of intensity or the setting, other options exist. Elle est splendide conveys a sense of grandeur, while Elle est ravissante translates to "She is lovely" or "She is enchanting". In a very casual or slang context, you might hear Elle est canon to mean "She is hot" or "She is stunning".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective belle must agree in gender with the subject elle.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the masculine form beau with the feminine subject elle. The phrase elle est beau is grammatically incorrect.
Did you know?
- In French, the word belle is used in the term belle-mère for 'mother-in-law', though it literally translates to 'beautiful mother'.
- In the phrase elle est belle, the word est is a rare spelling survivor. It is the only common word where the silent 's' from its Latin ancestor is preserved in modern French spelling, much like in the name 'Jésus-Christ'.
- The adjective belle is used in the phrase la Belle Époque to describe the optimistic period of peace and prosperity in France before World War I.
Examples in context
- Elle est belle quoiqu'elle porte.She is beautiful, no matter what she wears.This sentence shows how the phrase can be used regardless of clothing.Tatoeba #691622 by sysko, translation #2601299 by CK
- Elle est aussi intelligente qu'elle est belle.She is as clever as she is beautiful.This sentence compares intelligence and beauty using the phrase elle est belle.Tatoeba #333319 by sysko, translation #313789 by Zifre
- Elle se flatte elle-même en pensant qu'elle est belle.She flatters herself by thinking that she is beautiful.This sentence illustrates the phrase used in the context of someone's own thoughts.Tatoeba #1100950 by sacredceltic, translation #314603 by Zifre
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are looking at a portrait in a gallery.
- NathanRegarde cette femme sur le tableau.Look at that woman in the painting.
- ManonOui, elle est belle.Yes, she is beautiful.
- NathanManon, tu as raison, elle est magnifique.Manon, you are right, she is magnificent.
- ManonL'artiste a fait un excellent travail.The artist did an excellent job.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries elle, est, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
