你很漂亮
nǐ hěn piàoliang
The phrase 'you're pretty' in Chinese is expressed as 你很漂亮 (nǐ hěn piàoliang).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are physically attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'you very pretty'. The word 很 (hěn) is used as a standard way to link a subject to an adjective, even if it does not strictly mean 'very' in every context.
Which one should you use?
While 你很漂亮 is a common way to say someone is pretty, the alternative 你很美 carries a stronger, more profound sense of 'beauty'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, you do not use the verb 'to be' (是 shì) to connect a subject to an adjective. Instead, you use an adverb like 很 (hěn).
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ hěn piàoliang
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say 你是很漂亮 (nǐ shì hěn piàoliang) by trying to translate 'you are' directly, but using 是 (shì) before an adjective in this way is grammatically incorrect.
Did you know?
- The word 美 (měi) in 你很美 (nǐ hěn měi) is the same character used in the word for 'America', which is 美国 (měiguó), literally 'beautiful country'.
- The character 漂 (piào) in 漂亮 originally referred to floating on water, and the word originally described something that was 'clear' or 'bright' before evolving into a term for beauty.
- In some regions, saying 漂亮 (piàoliang) in a sarcastic tone is a common way to tell someone they have made a 'beautiful' mess or a huge mistake.
Examples in context
- 你很漂亮.You're pretty.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 你很漂亮.Tatoeba #1928569 by EDOBEAR, translation #1079506 by keira_n
- 我觉得你很漂亮。Wǒ juéde nǐ hěn piàoliang.I think you are pretty.
- 今天你很漂亮！Jīntiān nǐ hěn piàoliang!You are very pretty today!
Example conversation
Zhiqiang is complimenting Zihan on her new hairstyle.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你的新发型很好看，你很漂亮。Nǐ de xīn fàxíng hěn hǎokàn, nǐ hěn piàoliang.Your new hairstyle looks great, you're pretty.
- 梓涵 Zihan谢谢你的夸奖，志强。Xièxie nǐ de kuājuǎng, Zhìqiáng.Thank you for the compliment, Zhiqiang.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我是说真的。Wǒ shì shuō zhēn de.I really mean it.
- 梓涵 Zihan你真甜！Nǐ zhēn tián!You're so sweet!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
