tu es tellement belle
The English phrase "you look so beautiful" is expressed in French as tu es tellement belle.
This phrase is a compliment used to tell a woman or girl that she is very attractive. While English speakers often use the verb 'to look' for compliments on appearance, French speakers more commonly use the verb 'être' (to be) to express the same idea.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tu es tellement belle literally translates to 'you are so beautiful'.
Which one should you use?
To compliment a man, you should change the feminine adjective belle to the masculine beau, resulting in tu es tellement beau.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use vous êtes tellement belle instead of tu es tellement belle to express the same sentiment to a woman in a formal or respectful context.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone beau can be used ironically to describe someone who has made a clumsy mistake, similar to saying 'nice one' in English.
- In France, complimenting a stranger's beauty can be seen as an aggressive 'drague' (flirting) move, so tu es tellement belle is typically reserved for people you already know.
- The word tu shares a common ancestor with the English word 'thou', both originating from the Proto-Indo-European root *túh₂.
Examples in context
- T'es super belleYou are super beautiful.
- Tu es vraiment canonYou are really stunning.
- Tu rayonnes de beautéYou exude beauty.
- Tu es ravissanteYou are ravishing.
- Tu es tellement belle ce soir.You are so beautiful tonight.
- Je te l'ai déjà dit, tu es tellement belle.I already told you, you are so beautiful.
- Avec cette robe, tu es tellement belle.With this dress, you are so beautiful.
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are getting ready for a party.
- LéaJe ne sais pas si cette robe me va.I don't know if this dress suits me.
- NathanMais si, tu es tellement belle, Léa !But yes, you look so beautiful, Léa!
- LéaC'est vraiment gentil de ta part.That is really kind of you.
- NathanC'est la vérité, tu es parfaite.It's the truth, you are perfect.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tellement, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
