很可爱
hěn kě'ài
In Chinese, "very cute" is said as 很可爱 (hěn kě'ài).
很可爱 is used to describe someone or something that is extremely endearing or attractive in a sweet way. This phrase can be used to describe people, animals or even abstract things such as a person's behavior or a specific object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into 很 (hěn), which means "very" and 可爱 (kě'ài), which means "cute" or "lovable".
Which one should you use?
While 很可爱 is the standard way to say "very cute", you may use 非常可爱 (fēicháng kě'ài) if you want to express a much stronger degree of cuteness.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, when using an adjective like 可爱 with the adverb 很, you do not need to use the verb 是 (to be) to connect the subject and the adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
hěn kě'ài
Did you know?
- In many online contexts, people use the term 萌 (méng) instead of 可爱 to describe 'cute'. This term was borrowed from the Japanese concept of 'moe' and is specifically used for 'internet-style' cuteness.
- In mainland China, you might hear people say 萌翻了 (méng fān le), which literally translates to 'cute to the point of flipping over'. It is a hyperbolic way to say something is overwhelmingly adorable.
- When describing a person's personality as cute, Chinese speakers often use the word 呆萌 (dāi méng) to describe a specific type of 'clumsy' or 'airheaded' cuteness that is seen as charming.
Examples in context
- 马力很可爱，不是么？Mary is very cute, isn't she?This sentence is useful for confirming that Mary is cute.Tatoeba #5670750 by verdastelo9604, translation #3417251 by CK
- 在我看来Ania很可爱。Ania looks very cute to me.This sentence is useful for expressing an opinion about Ania's appearance.Tatoeba #7774613 by jiangche, translation #920277 by CN
- 猫是很可爱的。Cats are very cute.This sentence is useful for making a general statement about cats.Tatoeba #340497 by aaroned, translation #10673881 by Scotth123
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are looking at photos of a kitten online.
- 伟 Wei你看，这只猫很可爱。Nǐ kàn, zhè zhī māo hěn kě'ài.Look, this cat is very cute.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen真的，它太可爱了！Zhēn de, tā tài kě'ài le!Really, it is so cute!
- 伟 Wei我也觉得它很可爱。Wǒ yě juéde tā hěn kě'ài.I also think it is very cute.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我们去买一只吧。Wǒmen qù mǎi yī zhī ba.Let's go buy one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
