你很漂亮
nǐ hěn piàoliang
The Chinese phrase for "you're pretty" is 你很漂亮 (nǐ hěn piàoliang).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are physically attractive.
Which one should you use?
While 你很漂亮 means "you are pretty", the phrase 你很美 is a stronger, more formal way to say "you are beautiful".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese-speaking regions like southern China, you can use 你好靓啊！ to say "You look beautiful!" or "You're pretty!" In Hong Kong, it is common to use 你好靚仔 / 妹！, where 仔 refers to a handsome man and 妹 refers to a pretty woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, when you use a degree adverb like "very" (很), you do not use the verb "to be" (是) before an adjective like "pretty" (漂亮).
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ hěn piàoliang
Did you know?
- Complimenting someone's appearance directly can sometimes be met with a modest denial, such as 哪里哪里, rather than a simple 'thank you'.
- The character 美 used in 你很美 originally depicted a large lamb under a canopy, symbolizing abundance and beauty.
- If you describe a woman as 美女 (měinǚ), which literally translates to 'beautiful woman', it is often used as a generic, friendly way to address a stranger, similar to 'miss'.
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
- 你很漂亮，穿这件衣服很适合你。Nǐ hěn piàoliang, chuān zhè jiàn yīfu hěn shìhé nǐ.You're pretty, and this outfit suits you well.
- 大家都说你很漂亮。Dàjiā dōu shuō nǐ hěn piàoliang.Everyone says you're pretty.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang is complimenting Yuting on her appearance.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你很漂亮。Yǔtíng, nǐ hěn piàoliang.Yuting, you're pretty.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢你的夸奖！Xièxie nǐ de kuājuǎng!Thank you for the compliment!
- 志强 Zhiqiang我是说真的。Wǒ shì shuō zhēn de.I'm being serious.
- 雨婷 Yuting你太客气了。Nǐ tài kèqi le.You're too kind.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
