What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the pronoun คุณ (you) and the adjective สวย (beautiful/pretty).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make the compliment feel more intimate or casual, such as between friends or in a romantic context, you can use เธอสวย instead. For a very polite way to say "you're very pretty" to someone you do not know well or in a professional setting, use คุณสวยมาก. In informal settings, you might use คุณสวยจังเลย to say "you're really pretty" or คุณสวยสุดๆ to express that someone is "incredibly pretty". Additionally, the expression คุณน่ารักจังเลย can be used to convey beauty informally by saying "you're really cute".
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "you are very pretty", you can add the intensifier มาก after the adjective to form คุณสวยมาก.
How do you pronounce it?
khun suay
Did you know?
- The word สวย can also be used sarcastically in slang to describe a 'beautiful' mess or a situation that has gone spectacularly wrong.
- In Thailand, it is common for friends to deflect a compliment like คุณสวย by saying ไม่สวยหรอก ('not pretty at all') as a sign of modesty.
- Thai has a specific word สวยสะพรั่ง used to describe beauty that is in full bloom, often compared to a flower at its peak.
Examples in context
- คุณสวยมากkhun suay maakYou are very pretty.
- วันนี้คุณสวยมากครับwan-nee khun suay maak khrapYou look very pretty today.
Example conversation
A man is complimenting a woman on her dress at a party.
- ณิชา Nichaชุดนี้เหมาะกับคุณมากค่ะchut ni mo kap khun mak khaThis dress suits you very much.
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอบคุณครับ คุณสวยจริงๆkhop khun khrap khun suai ching chingThank you. You're really pretty.
- ณิชา Nichaขอบคุณนะคะ คุณก็ดูดีเหมือนกันkhop khun na kha khun ko du di muean kanThank you. You look great too.
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอบคุณครับ ณิชาkhop khun khrap NichaThank you, Nicha.
