What does it mean word for word?
The phrase você está linda literally translates to "you are beautiful", but it is the standard way to say "you look beautiful" when referring to someone's current appearance.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the verbs used. Use você está linda (using the verb *estar*) to say someone looks beautiful right now, whereas você é linda (using the verb *ser*) implies they are a beautiful person in general or permanently.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, you may hear the highly informal expression Tá gata(o) demais! to mean "You look gorgeous." or Você está uma gata(o)! to mean "You look beautiful/handsome." Additionally, the expression Você está um arraso! is used in Brazil to mean "You look stunning."
How does it change in a sentence?
To compliment a man, change the feminine adjective linda to the masculine lindo (e.g., você está lindo).
Did you know?
- In Brazil, you can describe someone as looking 'stunning' by saying Você está um arraso!, which literally translates to 'You are a wreck' or 'You are a ruin'.
- The pronoun você actually traces its roots back to a highly formal way of addressing someone as 'your mercy', a way to show deep respect through the contraction of vossa mercee.
- If you want to tell a woman she looks gorgeous in a very informal way, you might say Você está uma gata!, which literally means 'You are a female cat'.
Examples in context
- A propósito, você está linda hoje.You look beautiful today, by the way.This sentence shows how to add "by the way" to the compliment using você está linda.Tatoeba #11199845 by bill, translation #10081201 by shekitten
- Você está linda.You look beautiful.This sentence is a simple way to say "You look beautiful" using você está linda.Tatoeba #5290836 by carlosalberto, translation #954758 by CK
- Nossa, você está linda com esse vestido!Wow, you look beautiful in this dress!
Example conversation
Gabriel and Beatriz are getting ready for a dinner date.
- BeatrizGabriel, você acha que este vestido é muito formal?Gabriel, do you think this dress is too formal?
- GabrielNão, você está linda, pode usar sem medo.No, you look beautiful, you can wear it without fear.
- BeatrizSério? Obrigada, querido.Really? Thank you, darling.
- GabrielDe nada, vamos logo para o jantar.You're welcome, let's go to dinner now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries está, linda, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
