When it comes to expressing beauty in Chinese, there are various ways to convey the idea of “very pretty.” In this guide, you will learn both the formal and informal ways to describe someone as “very pretty” in Chinese. While there are some regional variations, we will focus on the more commonly used phrases. Let’s dive in!
Formal Ways to Say “Very Pretty” in Chinese
1. 非常漂亮 (Fēicháng piàoliang) – This is the most straightforward and commonly used phrase to express “very pretty” in formal settings. It can be used to compliment someone’s appearance elegantly and respectfully.
For example:
你今天非常漂亮！(Nǐ jīntiān fēicháng piàoliang!) – You look very pretty today!
2. 十分美丽 (Shífēn měilì) – This phrase conveys a sense of grace and beauty. It is often used in formal or poetic contexts to describe someone as “very pretty.”
For example:
她的笑容十分美丽。(Tā de xiàoróng shífēn měilì.) – Her smile is very beautiful.
3. 天下无敌美貌 (Tiānxià wúdí měimào) – This phrase literally translates to “unrivaled beauty in the world.” It is quite formal and is used to describe someone with an exceptional level of beauty.
For example:
她的容颜天下无敌美貌。(Tā de róngyán tiānxià wúdí měimào.) – Her appearance is unparalleled in beauty.
Informal Ways to Say “Very Pretty” in Chinese
1. 好看 (Hǎokàn) – This is a popular informal phrase used to describe something or someone as “good-looking” or “pretty.” While it can be used in various contexts, it is commonly employed in casual conversations.
For example:
她的新发型好看吗？(Tā de xīn fǎxíng hǎokàn ma?) – Does her new hairstyle look good?
2. 漂亮极了 (Piàoliang jíle) – This informal phrase is used to emphasize extreme prettiness. It adds emphasis and excitement to the compliment.
For example:
她的服装漂亮极了！(Tā de fúzhuāng piàoliang jíle!) – Her outfit is incredibly pretty!
3. 美翻了 (Měifānle) – This informal phrase is often used to express extreme admiration for someone’s beauty. It adds enthusiasm and flair to the compliment.
For example:
那位模特真是美翻了！(Nà wèi mótè zhēnshi měifānle!) – That model is absolutely stunning!
Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned above are commonly understood throughout Chinese-speaking regions, there are some regional variations worth noting:
1. Cantonese:
In Cantonese, “very pretty” can be expressed as:
好靚 (Hóu lèuhng) – Informal
十分靚 (Sāp fān lèuhng) – Formal
2. Taiwanese Mandarin:
In Taiwanese Mandarin, “very pretty” can be expressed as:
好漂亮 (Hó piàu-liáu) – Informal
非常漂亮 (Fēi-chhòng piàu-liáu) – Formal
Remember, regional variations may exist, and it’s always beneficial to learn specific phrases related to the region you are in.
Conclusion
In this guide, we explored various ways to say “very pretty” in Chinese. The formal phrases like “非常漂亮” (Fēicháng piàoliang) and “十分美丽” (Shífēn měilì) are suitable for more formal situations, while the informal phrases like “好看” (Hǎokàn) and “漂亮极了” (Piàoliang jíle) are perfect for casual conversations. If you want to express extreme admiration, you can use phrases like “天下无敌美貌” (Tiānxià wúdí měimào) or “美翻了” (Měifānle).
Remember, language is a window to culture, and expressing beauty in different languages is a fantastic way to appreciate diversity. So go ahead, compliment someone on their looks in Chinese, and spread some positivity!
