du bist süß
In German, "you're cute" is expressed as du bist süß.
This phrase can be used for both romantic attraction and to describe a person's charming or endearing behavior.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from du (you), bist (are) and süß (sweet).
Which one should you use?
While süß literally means "sweet", in this context it is the standard way to say someone is "cute" or "adorable".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to someone formally, you must use Sie sind süß instead of du bist süß.
Did you know?
- The word du is a distant relative of the archaic English word 'thou', both tracing back to the same ancient Indo-European roots.
- While calling someone 'cute' is common in English, calling a person süß in German can sometimes feel slightly more infantilizing, similar to calling an adult 'sweetie'.
- While süß means 'cute' when describing a person, it is also the primary word for 'sweet' when describing taste. A piece of candy and a baby are described with the exact same word.
Examples in context
- Du bist süß, schlafend wie auch wachend.You're cute when you sleep. And also when you're awake.This sentence shows how to use du bist süß to describe someone both while sleeping and while awake.Tatoeba #13950535 by Waldelfe, translation #10054543 by shekitten
- Du bist süß.You're cute.This sentence provides a simple example of du bist süß.Tatoeba #6005481 by wolfgangth, translation #1989609 by CK
- Entschuldigen Sie, aber Sie sind wirklich niedlich!Excuse me, but you are really cute!
- Ihr Outfit ist fantastisch und Sie sehen wirklich süß aus!Your outfit is fantastic, and you look really cute!
- Du bist so süß, wenn du lachst!You're so cute when you laugh!
- Wow, du siehst heute echt niedlich aus!Wow, you look really cute today!
- Du bist süß, wenn du lachst.You're cute when you laugh.
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are on their first date.
- HannahIch finde dich wirklich toll, Julian.I really think you're great, Julian.
- JulianDanke, du bist süß.Thanks, you're cute.
- HannahMöchtest du noch ein Eis essen?Would you like to eat another ice cream?
- JulianJa, das klingt super!Yes, that sounds great!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bist, du, süß, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
