تبدو جميلاً
tabdū jamīlan
The English phrase "you look nice" is translated into Arabic as تبدو جميلاً (tabdū jamīlan).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that their physical appearance is attractive. The Arabic term implies beauty or handsomeness, making it a stronger compliment than the English "nice."
How does it change in a sentence?
To compliment a woman, change the masculine adjective jamīlan to the feminine jamīlatan or jamīla, resulting in تبدو جميلة.
How do you pronounce it?
tabdū jamīlan
Did you know?
- In Egyptian Arabic, people often skip the verb entirely and just say Zay al-qamar, which means 'like the moon', to tell someone they look beautiful.
- In many Arabic dialects, instead of using a verb for 'to look', people often use the word masha'Allah after a compliment to express admiration and protect the person from the 'evil eye'.
- Depending on the region, a compliment on appearance might be phrased as منوّر meaning 'you are lit' or 'you are radiating light'.
Examples in context
- تبدو جميلاً اليوم.tabdu jamilan al-yawm.You look nice today.
- أنت تبدو جميلاً في هذه البدلة.anta tabdu jamilan fi hadhihi al-badla.You look nice in this suit.
- تبدو جميلاً جداً في هذه الصورة.tabdu jamilan jiddan fi hadhihi al-sura.You look very nice in this photo.
Example conversation
Omar is getting ready for a party.
- عمر Omarهل أعجبك مظهري؟Hal a'jabaka mazhari?Do you like my look?
- مريم Maryamنعم، تبدو جميلاً حقاً يا عمر.Na'am, tabdu jamilan haqqan ya Omar.Yes, you look really nice, Omar.
- عمر Omarشكراً جزيلاً يا مريم.Shukran jazilan ya Maryam.Thank you very much, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamعلى الرحب والسعة.Ala al-rahbi wa al-si'a.You are welcome.
