你很可爱
nǐ hěn kě'ài
In Chinese, "you're cute" is said as 你很可爱 (nǐ hěn kě'ài).
你很可爱 is a compliment used to tell someone that they are endearing or attractive in a sweet way. It can be used to describe both people and animals/objects that are endearing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 你 (you), 很 (very) and 可爱 (cute/lovable).
Which one should you use?
While 你很可爱 implies a sweet, endearing or "cute" quality, 你很漂亮 is used for physical beauty or attractiveness.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 你很可爱, the word 很 (hěn) acts as a linking verb meaning "is/am/are" when used with an adjective, rather than strictly meaning "very".
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ hěn kě'ài
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often omit the word 很 (hěn), but in natural Chinese, omitting it can make the sentence sound incomplete or overly emphatic/abrupt.
Did you know?
- Chinese speakers often use the phrase 萌萌哒 (méng méng dā) as a slang version of 'cute', borrowing the Japanese concept of 'moe'.
- While English speakers use 'cute' for both people and things, calling an adult woman 可爱 in Chinese can sometimes be seen as 'condescending' or treating her like a child.
- The word 可爱 is composed of two characters that literally mean 'can' and 'love'.
Examples in context
- 你很可爱。Nǐ hěn kě'ài.You're cute.
- 我觉得你很可爱。Wǒ juéde nǐ hěn kě'ài.I think you are cute.
- 看你笑的样子，你很可爱。Kàn nǐ xiào de yàngzi, nǐ hěn kě'ài.Looking at the way you smile, you're very cute.
Example conversation
A young couple is sitting in a cafe.
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，我觉得你很可爱。Zǐhán, wǒ juéde nǐ hěn kě'ài.Zihan, I think you're cute.
- 梓涵 Zihan真的吗？谢谢你，浩然。Zhēn de ma? Xièxiè nǐ, Hàorán.Really? Thank you, Haoran.
- 浩然 Haoran不客气，我只是实话实说。Bù kèqì, wǒ zhǐshì shíhuà shíshuō.You're welcome, I'm just telling the truth.
- 梓涵 Zihan你真好。Nǐ zhēn hǎo.You are so sweet.
