tu es magnifique
The English phrase "you look gorgeous" is translated into French as tu es magnifique.
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they look very beautiful. In French, it is more common to say 'you are magnificent' (tu es magnifique) to express that someone looks gorgeous than to use a verb for 'to look'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tu es magnifique literally translates to "you are magnificent".
Which one should you use?
While tu es magnifique is a standard way to express this, other options exist depending on the tone: Tu es superbe can be used to mean "You're stunning" and T'es trop canon is a very informal way to say "You're so hot".
How does it change in a sentence?
Use vous êtes magnifique if you are speaking to more than one person or to someone you wish to address formally. To account for gender when using phrases like Tu es trop beau, note that this is the masculine version of Tu es trop belle.
Did you know?
- The informal phrase T'es trop canon uses the word canon which literally means 'cannon'. In French slang, calling someone a 'cannon' is equivalent to calling them a 'knockout'.
- The adjective magnifique is a learned borrowing from the Latin magnificus, which originally referred to the quality of performing great or noble deeds rather than just visual beauty.
- While trop usually means 'too much' or 'too' in a negative sense, in modern informal French it is used as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'so', similar to how English speakers use 'too' in 'this is too good'.
Examples in context
- Tu es magnifique ce soir.You look gorgeous tonight.
- Tu es magnifique dans cette robe !You look gorgeous in this dress!
- Tu es magnifique dans cette robe.You look gorgeous in this dress.
- Ne te lamente pas, tu es magnifique.Don't complain, you look gorgeous.
- Regarde-toi dans le miroir, tu es magnifique.Look at yourself in the mirror, you look gorgeous.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are getting ready for a party.
- LucasTu es magnifique, Emma !You look gorgeous, Emma!
- EmmaC'est gentil, Lucas. Merci !That's sweet, Lucas. Thank you!
- LucasOn peut y aller maintenant.We can go now.
- EmmaOui, allons-y !Yes, let's go!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries magnifique, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
