sei bellissima
The English phrase "you're beautiful" is translated into Italian as sei bellissima.
This phrase is a compliment used to tell a woman or girl that she is physically attractive.
Which one should you use?
While sei bella means "you are beautiful", the form sei bellissima is more common as a high compliment because it adds the sense of "very" or "extremely".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Sicilian dialect, the word beddusu can be used to refer to a man.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase sei bellissima uses the absolute superlative form of the adjective, which in Italian often functions as an intensifier meaning "very beautiful" rather than just "most beautiful".
Did you know?
- The word bellissima can be used ironically among friends to react to a silly or absurd situation, similar to saying 'that's just wonderful' in English.
- In Italy, calling a woman bella can sometimes be seen as a casual catcall if said by a stranger on the street, whereas sei bellissima is typically reserved for deeper intimacy.
- If you tell a woman sei bellissima while she is wearing a dress that looks great on her, she might reply sei gentile, which means 'you are kind'.
Examples in context
- Sei bellissima/bellissimo, davvero affascinante!You are beautiful, truly fascinating!
- Sei bellissima con quel vestito rosso.You're beautiful in that red dress.
- Lo sai che sei bellissima.You know that you are beautiful.
- Stasera sei bellissima.You are beautiful tonight.
Example conversation
Lorenzo compliments Martina during a dinner date.
- MartinaLorenzo, come mi vedi?Lorenzo, how do I look?
- LorenzoSei bellissima, Martina.You're beautiful, Martina.
- MartinaGrazie, sei molto dolce.Thank you, you are very sweet.
- LorenzoDico solo la verità.I am only telling the truth.
