magnifique
/ma.ɲi.fik/
The English word "stunning" can be translated into French as magnifique.
magnifique is used to describe something that is exceptionally beautiful or attractive. It is a stronger term than the standard word for beautiful, expressing that something is truly magnificent.
Meaning: exceptionally beautiful or attractive (adj)
Which one should you use?
While beau or belle are the standard ways to say "beautiful," magnifique provides a higher level of intensity to express that something is "stunning."
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /ma.ɲi.fik/.
Did you know?
- French speakers often use the phrase C'est magnifique! with a specific rising intonation to express irony or sarcasm when something is actually disastrous.
- If you are describing a 'stunning' dress, you might also use éblouissant, which literally describes a brightness that dazzles the eyes, much like a physical light.
- In casual French, magnifique is often used as a standalone exclamation to mean 'great' or 'perfect' when agreeing to a plan, regardless of whether anything is visually beautiful.
Examples in context
- N'est-ce pas magnifique ?Isn't it stunning?This sentence is useful for asking for agreement regarding how magnifique something is.Tatoeba #2720366 by Rovo, translation #2248668 by CK
- Cette robe est vraiment magnifique !This dress is truly stunning!
- La vue du sommet est véritablement époustouflante !The view from the summit is truly stunning!
- Le coucher de soleil était vraiment sublime !The sunset was truly stunning!
- David a une nouvelle voiture éblouissante !David has a stunning new car!
- J'ai vu un film incroyablement époustouflant hier soir.I watched an incredibly stunning movie last night.
- Les fleurs dans ce jardin sont tout simplement magnifiques !The flowers in this garden are simply stunning!
- Cet artiste a un talent stupéfiant, ses œuvres sont vraiment éblouissantes !This artist has an astounding talent, his artworks are truly stunning!
- Ce paysage est magnifique.This landscape is stunning.
- Ta nouvelle robe est magnifique.Your new dress is stunning.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- GabrielRegarde ce tableau, il est magnifique.Look at this painting, it is stunning.
- LéaOui, les couleurs sont magnifiques.Yes, the colors are stunning.
- GabrielTu es magnifique sous cette lumière, Léa.You look stunning in this light, Léa.
- LéaMerci, Gabriel, c'est très gentil.Thank you, Gabriel, that is very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry magnifique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
