好可爱
hǎo kě'ài
In Chinese, "so cute" is expressed as 好可爱 (hǎo kě'ài).
好可爱 is an expression used to describe someone or something that is very endearing or attractive. While often used for children or animals, calling an adult woman 好可爱 can sometimes be perceived as patronizing or "babying" depending on the tone and context. 萌萌哒 carries a similar meaning to 'so cute' and is often used online or among younger generations. 俏皮 refers to someone or something cute in a slightly mischievous way.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 好, which in this context means "very" or "so" rather than its more common meaning of "good" and 可爱, which means "cute" or "lovely". The word 可爱 is composed of 可, meaning "can/able to" and 爱, meaning "love", literally translating to "able to be loved".
Which one should you use?
While both 好可爱 and 很可爱 mean "very cute", 好可爱 is more common in casual, emotive exclamations, whereas 很可爱 is a more neutral, descriptive statement.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 啊 to the end of 好可爱 makes the expression sound more natural and enthusiastic in spoken Chinese, as in 好可爱啊.
How do you pronounce it?
hǎo kě'ài
Did you know?
- In Chinese internet slang, the phrase 萌 (méng) is often used as a verb or adjective to mean 'to be cute' or 'to act cute', borrowing its sound from the Japanese word for 'sprout'.
- While 可爱 means 'cute', young people often use the term 卖萌 (mài méng), which literally translates to 'selling cuteness', to describe someone intentionally acting cute to get attention.
- When describing a person's appearance as cute, using 可爱 can sometimes feel like you are treating them like a child, whereas 甜 (tián), meaning 'sweet', is often a safer compliment for adult women.
Examples in context
- 这只小猫非常可爱This kitten is very cute
- 她穿上这身衣服真是萌萌哒She looks so cute in this outfit
- 他的笑容非常俏皮His smile is very cute (in a playful way)
- 这只小狗可爱极了This puppy is extremely cute
- 他的宝贝女儿真是太可爱了，人见人爱。His precious daughter is so cute, everyone loves her.
- 这只小猫好可爱。Zhè zhī xiǎomāo hǎo kě'ài.This kitten is so cute.
- 那个婴儿好可爱。Nàge yīng'ér hǎo kě'ài.That baby is so cute.
- 你的新玩偶好可爱！Nǐ de xīn wán'ǒu hǎo kě'ài!Your new doll is so cute!
Example conversation
Junjie and Zihan are looking at a puppy in a pet shop.
- 俊杰 Junjie你看那只小狗，好可爱啊！Nǐ kàn nà zhī xiǎogǒu, hǎo kě'ài a!Look at that puppy, it is so cute!
- 梓涵 Zihan真的，它好可爱。Zhēn de, tā hǎo kě'ài.Really, it is so cute.
- 俊杰 Junjie我想把它带回家。Wǒ xiǎng bǎ tā dài huí jiā.I want to take it home.
- 梓涵 Zihan它一定会很喜欢你的。Tā yīdìng huì hěn xǐhuān nǐ de.It will definitely like you.
