What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built using the verb être (to be) and the adjective attirant.
Which one should you use?
While attirant focuses on physical attraction, séduisant often implies a more charismatic or charming quality.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation, French speakers are more likely to use beau or belle to describe an attractive person than the more clinical attirant. Depending on the setting, you might use different forms: Vous êtes séduisant(e) or Vous êtes beau/belle are formal ways to say "You are attractive" or "You are handsome/beautiful". Informal options include T'es beau/belle for "You're handsome/beautiful", T'es charmant(e) for "You're charming" and T'es super mignon(ne) for "You're really cute". If you want to say "You're hot", use the informal T'es canon or use the formal Vous êtes à croquer to say "You are irresistible".
Did you know?
- To call someone 'hot' in a very casual way, French speakers use the word canon, which literally means 'cannon'.
- If you describe someone as à croquer, you are literally saying they are 'to be bitten' or 'to be eaten'. It is a common way to call someone irresistible or 'good enough to eat'.
- In the spelling of est, the silent 's' is a rare survivor. It is almost the only word in French where the internal 's' from its Latin ancestor remained in writing despite being silent, except in the name Jésus-Christ.
Examples in context
- Monsieur Dupont, vous êtes vraiment charmant avec votre nouvelle tenue.Mr. Dupont, you look really charming in your new outfit.
- Madame Lefèvre, vous êtes vraiment séduisante dans cette robe.Mrs. Lefèvre, you look really attractive in that dress.
- Marie, vous êtes vraiment belle aujourd'hui.Marie, you look really beautiful today.
- Monsieur Martin, vous êtes vraiment à croquer avec ce costume élégant.Mr. Martin, you look really irresistible in that elegant suit.
- Emma, t'es vraiment belle avec cette nouvelle coiffure.Emma, you look really beautiful with that new hairstyle.
- Marc, t'es vraiment canon dans cette tenue.Marc, you look really hot in that outfit.
- Pierre, t'es trop charmant, je ne peux pas résister.Pierre, you're so charming, I can't resist.
- Sophie, t'es super mignonne avec ces lunettes.Sophie, you look really cute with those glasses.
- Je trouve que quelqu'un est attirant.I find that someone is attractive.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing their preferences in a partner.
- GabrielPour toi, qu'est-ce qui fait que quelqu'un est attirant ?For you, what makes someone attractive?
- ManonJe pense que la confiance en soi est essentielle.I think self-confidence is essential.
- GabrielJe suis d'accord avec toi, Manon.I agree with you, Manon.
- ManonC'est le secret pour être vraiment attirant.It's the secret to being truly attractive.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries est, quelqu'un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
