تبدين جميلة
tabdeena jameelah
The English phrase "you look beautiful" is translated into Arabic as تبدين جميلة (tabdeena jameelah).
This phrase is a compliment used specifically to tell a woman that her current appearance is attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb تبدين (tabdeena) literally means "you (feminine) appear" or "you seem".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is gender-specific. When addressing a male, the grammar changes to the masculine form تبدو جميلاً.
How do you pronounce it?
tabdeena jameelah
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, people often follow a compliment like تبدين جميلة with a phrase praising God, such as ما شاء الله, to avoid casting the 'evil eye' on the person being praised.
- The root of جميلة is the same as the word for 'gathering' or 'collecting', reflecting an ancient idea that beauty is a harmony of gathered perfect traits.
- If someone responds to تبدين جميلة with a modest deflection, they might use the word تسلم, which literally means 'may you be safe', as a way of saying 'thank you'.
Examples in context
- تبدين جميلة يا أمي.You look beautiful, Mother.This sentence shows how to use تبدين جميلة when addressing a mother.Tatoeba #11985817 by dididodo, translation #11886719 by Amastan
- تبدين جميلة هذا المساء.You look beautiful tonight.This sentence shows how to use تبدين جميلة to compliment someone's appearance in the evening.Tatoeba #11958065 by dididodo, translation #2045792 by CK
- تبدين جميلة.You look beautiful.This sentence is a simple way to use تبدين جميلة as a direct compliment.Tatoeba #1431876 by azjani, translation #954758 by CK
- تبدون جميلات في هذه الحفلةYou all look beautiful at this gathering
- أنت تبدو جميلة هذا اليومYou look beautiful today
- عندِكِ اطلالة حلوةYou have a lovely appearance
- أنتَ وسيم جدًاYou are very handsome
Example conversation
Omar is greeting Maryam at a wedding party.
- عمر Omarأهلاً مريم، تبدين جميلة جداً اليوم!Ahlan Maryam, tabdeena jameela jiddan al-yawm!Hello Maryam, you look very beautiful today!
- مريم Maryamشكراً لك يا عمر، هذا لطف منك.Shukran laka ya Omar, hadha lutf mink.Thank you Omar, that is kind of you.
- عمر Omarهل هذا الفستان جديد؟Hal hadha al-fustan jadeed?Is this dress new?
- مريم Maryamنعم، اشتريته من أجل الحفلة.Na'am, ishtaraytuhu min ajl al-hafla.Yes, I bought it for the party.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
