What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "she very pretty". In Chinese, the adverb 很 (hěn) is used to link the subject to the adjective instead of the verb "to be".
Which one should you use?
While 很 (hěn) literally means "very", in the phrase 她很漂亮, it often functions as a grammatical linker and may not necessarily imply a high degree of "very" unless specifically emphasized.
How does it change in a sentence?
When an adjective like 漂亮 (piàoliang) is used as a predicate, you use the adverb 很 (hěn) instead of the verb 是 (shì) to mean "is". You can also use the word 像 (xiàng), meaning "like", when using comparative structures.
How do you pronounce it?
tā hěn piàoliang
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb 是 (shì) to say "she is pretty" (e.g., 她是漂亮), but in Chinese, 是 is generally not used with adjectives in this way.
Did you know?
- In modern internet slang, users may use 美女 (měinǚ), meaning 'beautiful woman', as a generic polite greeting for any young woman, even if they do not know her. It functions similarly to 'miss' or 'excuse me' in a service setting.
- To avoid sounding too direct or blunt, some Chinese speakers use the phrase 长得漂亮 (zhǎng de piàoliang). This shifts the focus to how the person 'grew up' to be pretty, making the compliment feel more natural and less like a clinical observation.
- In some contexts, 漂亮 (piàoliang) is used to describe an action done skillfully or perfectly, such as a 'pretty' goal in sports or a 'pretty' piece of work. In these cases, it means 'splendid' or 'excellent' rather than visually attractive.
Examples in context
- 她非常漂亮！She is extremely pretty!
- 她比花还漂亮！She is prettier than a flower!
- 她太美了！She is so beautiful!
- 她很漂亮。Tā hěn piàoliang.She is very pretty.
- 我觉得她很漂亮。Wǒ juéde tā hěn piàoliang.I think she is pretty.
Example conversation
Junjie and Zihan are looking at a photo in a magazine.
- 俊杰 Junjie你看，她很漂亮。Nǐ kàn, tā hěn piàoliang.Look, she is very pretty.
- 梓涵 Zihan是的，她很漂亮。Shì de, tā hěn piàoliang.Yes, she is very pretty.
- 俊杰 Junjie她的衣服也很漂亮。Tā de yīfu yě hěn piàoliang.Her clothes are also very pretty.
- 梓涵 Zihan我也这么觉得。Wǒ yě zhème juéde.I think so too.
