شكلك حلو
shaklak hilw
The English phrase "you look good" is translated into Arabic as شكلك حلو (shaklak hilw).
This phrase is used as a compliment to tell someone that their physical appearance is attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "your shape is sweet/beautiful".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form شكلك حلو is colloquial. For more formal situations, you might use تبدين جميلة to say "You look beautiful" or تبدو أنيقة to say "You look elegant". In an informal setting, you can also say عم تحلى to mean "You're looking gorgeous".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase شكلك حلو is a colloquial Levantine or Egyptian dialect expression rather than Modern Standard Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word shaklak, the suffix -ak is the masculine singular "your", which is used when speaking to a man.
How do you pronounce it?
shaklak hilw
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, giving a compliment about someone's appearance can sometimes be met with a phrase that invokes God's protection to ward off the 'evil eye'.
- While حلو means 'sweet', it is used to describe things English speakers would never call sweet, such as a funny joke or a piece of music.
- The word شكل (shape) in this context is not about body mass or weight, but refers to the holistic 'look' or 'aspect' of a person.
Examples in context
- تبدين رائعة في هذا الفستان.You look fantastic in this dress.
- شكلك حلو اليوم.shaklak helu el-yom.You look good today.
- شكلك حلو في هذه الصورة.shaklak helu fi hazi el-soura.You look good in this photo.
- شكلك حلو بالفستان الجديد.shaklik helu bil-fustan el-jadid.You look good in the new dress.
Example conversation
Layla and Youssef are meeting at a cafe.
- ليلى Laylaيا يوسف، شكلك حلو جداً اليوم!Ya Youssef, shaklak helu jiddan el-yom!Youssef, you look very good today!
- يوسف Youssefشكراً يا ليلى، هذا من ذوقك.Shukran ya Layla, haza min zawqik.Thank you, Layla, that is kind of you.
- ليلى Laylaهل اشتريت قميصاً جديداً؟Hal ishtarayt qamis jidid?Did you buy a new shirt?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، لقد اشتريته بالأمس.Na'am, laqad ishtaraituh bil-ams.Yes, I bought it yesterday.
