tu es ravissante
The English phrase "you look ravishing" can be translated into French as tu es ravissante.
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they look extremely beautiful or attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tu es ravissante literally translates to "you are ravishing". While English uses the verb "to look" to describe appearance in this context, the French phrase literally translates to "you are ravishing".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree with the gender of the person being addressed. Use ravissant for a man and ravissante for a woman. If you are speaking to someone you do not know well or want to show respect to, use the form vous êtes ravissante instead of tu es ravissante.
Did you know?
- The word ravissante comes from the verb ravir, which originally meant 'to seize' or 'to carry off by force'. In a romantic context, it suggests the person's beauty is so powerful it 'captures' the observer.
- French speakers often use ravissant to describe objects, such as a dress or a house, whereas English speakers rarely call an inanimate object 'ravishing'.
- The adjective ravissant shares a common ancestor with the English word 'ravish', but in French, it has lost the aggressive or violent connotation of 'captivating' to become a purely positive aesthetic compliment.
Examples in context
- Tu es ravissante dans cette robe.You look ravishing in that dress.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use tu es ravissante when commenting on a specific item of clothing.Tatoeba #11723169 by lbdx, translation #6216617 by Hybrid
- Vous avez l'air ravissant ce soir.You look ravishing tonight.
- Tu es vraiment superbe aujourd'hui.You look truly superb today.
- Sans maquillage, tu es ravissante.Even without makeup, you look ravishing.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are getting ready for a party.
- LucasTu es ravissante, Chloé.You look ravishing, Chloé.
- ChloéC'est gentil, merci Lucas !That's kind, thank you Lucas!
- LucasOn peut y aller maintenant ?Can we go now?
- ChloéOui, je suis prête.Yes, I am ready.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
