so schön
/zoː ʃøːn/word by word
The English phrase 'so beautiful' is translated into German as so schön.
so schön is used to describe someone or something that is very attractive or pleasing to the senses. Because schön can mean both 'beautiful' (aesthetic) and 'nice' (pleasant/enjoyable), so schön can be used to describe an aesthetic view or a pleasant, enjoyable experience.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of so, meaning 'so' and schön, meaning 'beautiful' or 'nice'.
Which one should you use?
While so schön is often used for more profound or grand beauty, so hübsch is typically used to say something is 'so pretty' or 'cute'. For more emphasis, you can use so wunderschön to mean 'so beautiful'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria, the regional variation so schee is used instead of so schön.
How does it change in a sentence?
When so schön is used as an attributive adjective directly before a noun, it must take an adjective ending, such as so schöne in the phrase so schöne Blumen (so beautiful flowers).
How do you pronounce it?
/zoː ʃøːn/
Did you know?
- While so schön describes beauty, Germans use the word schön in the phrase schön langsam to mean 'very slowly' or 'take your time'.
- The word schön can function as an intensifier similar to 'quite' or 'considerably', such as in the phrase schön viel to mean 'quite a lot'.
- Depending on the tone of voice, saying Das ist ja schön can actually be used sarcastically to mean 'That is just great' in a negative or annoyed way.
Examples in context
- Es war so schön!It was so beautiful.This sentence shows how to use so schön to describe a past experience.Tatoeba #1907187 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1897734 by CK
- Es ist so schön.It's so beautiful.This sentence shows how to use so schön to describe a present state or situation.Tatoeba #4711818 by bonny37, translation #1894562 by CK
- Ich bin so schön.I'm so beautiful.This sentence shows how to use so schön to describe oneself.Tatoeba #10248257 by wolfgangth, translation #7855503 by shekitten
- Der Sonnenuntergang ist so schön.The sunset is so beautiful.
- Die Blumen in diesem Garten sind so wunderschön.The flowers in this garden are so incredibly beautiful.
- Dein neues Kleid ist wirklich so schön!Your new dress is really so beautiful!
- Das Konzert gestern Abend war hammerschön!The concert last night was so amazingly beautiful!
- Des Dirndl steht dir echt so schee!The dirndl really looks so beautiful on you!
- Das Schloss am See ist einfach so schön.The castle by the lake is simply so beautiful.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Laura are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- MaximilianDas Bild ist so schön.The painting is so beautiful.
- LauraJa, die Farben sind wunderbar.Yes, the colors are wonderful.
- MaximilianDu hast einen guten Geschmack, Laura.You have good taste, Laura.
- LauraDanke, Maximilian.Thanks, Maximilian.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (so, schön) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
