così carina
The English phrase "so pretty" is translated into Italian as così carina.
così carina is used to describe someone or something that is very attractive or cute.
What does it mean word for word?
The word così literally means "so" or "in this way" when used as an intensifier.
Which one should you use?
While così carina often implies "cute" or "sweetly pretty", così bella is used for a more profound or striking beauty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes its ending based on the gender and number of the person or object being described. Use così carino for a masculine subject, così carine for a group of females or feminine objects and così carini for a group of males or a mixed-gender group.
Did you know?
- While così carina describes a cute person, calling a man così carino can sometimes sound patronizing, as if you are treating him like a small child or a pet.
- The word così evolved from the Vulgar Latin phrase eccum sīc, which literally translates to 'look at it thus'.
- Using così as an intensifier often accompanies a specific hand gesture where the palm is held flat or the fingers are pinched to indicate 'this much'.
Examples in context
- Mary è così carina.Mary is so pretty.This sentence is useful for describing a person.Tatoeba #5073051 by Guybrush88, translation #1898335 by CK
- Mi sento così carina.I feel so pretty.This sentence is useful for describing a feeling.Tatoeba #2005761 by Guybrush88, translation #1334592 by CM
- Questa è così carina.This is so pretty.This sentence is useful for describing an object.Tatoeba #2888720 by Guybrush88, translation #2888715 by CM
- Il tuo abito è molto bello!Your dress is very beautiful!
- Sei veramente affascinante stasera!You look truly charming tonight!
- Hai un nuovo taglio di capelli, eh? Sembri proprio carina!You have a new haircut, huh? You look so pretty!
- Sei stupenda, come un tramonto sulla costa siciliana!You're so pretty, like a sunset on the Sicilian coast!
- Sono rimasto senza parole, sei meravigliosa questa sera!I'm speechless, you look so pretty tonight!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco is looking at a photo of Sofia's new puppy.
- FrancescoMa guarda questo cucciolo!But look at this puppy!
- SofiaSì, è così carina, vero?Yes, she is so pretty, right?
- FrancescoSì, è davvero adorabile.Yes, she is truly adorable.
- SofiaGrazie, Sofia è felice.Thanks, Sofia is happy.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries così, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
