qualcuno è bello
In Italian, 'someone is beautiful' is said as qualcuno è bello.
This phrase is used to describe a person who is physically or aesthetically attractive.
Which one should you use?
The adjective used for beauty changes based on gender. bello can mean 'beautiful' or 'handsome' depending on the person being described. For a superlative effect, such as saying someone is 'very beautiful' or 'extremely beautiful', you can use the form qualcuno è bellissimo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase qualcuno è bello uses a singular subject. If you wish to express that 'some people are beautiful', you must use the plural form alcuni sono belli.
Did you know?
- Italian uses bello in the phrase che bello! to express 'how wonderful!', even if there is nothing physically beautiful about the situation.
- The word qualcuno is a 'univerbation', meaning two separate words, qualche and uno, fused together over centuries to create a single new noun.
- In many parts of Italy, particularly the South, you might hear people use bello as a term of endearment for children or even pets, similar to 'sweetie' in English.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are looking at a gallery of portraits.
- MartinaGuarda questo quadro, credo che qualcuno è bello davvero.Look at this painting, I think someone is truly beautiful.
- AlessandroHai ragione, i colori sono stupendi.You are right, the colors are wonderful.
- MartinaSì, l'artista ha reso bene l'idea.Yes, the artist captured the idea well.
- AlessandroÈ un'opera molto emozionante, Martina.It is a very emotional work, Martina.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bello, qualcuno, è, CC BY-SA 4.0.
