du bist so wunderschön
The English phrase "you're so beautiful" is expressed in German as du bist so wunderschön.
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are very attractive or lovely.
Which one should you use?
While schön means beautiful or pretty, wunderschön is an intensified form that means "wonderfully beautiful" or "gorgeous".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase du bist so wunderschön uses the informal du (you), which is appropriate for friends, family or romantic partners.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might use du bist so schön to mean "you are so beautiful", but because schön can also mean "nice" or "pleasant", wunderschön is a stronger and more specific compliment for physical beauty.
Did you know?
- The word du is a direct relative of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both descend from the same Proto-Germanic ancestor.
- Using the informal du in this phrase is essential because using the formal Sie would create a cold and paradoxical distance that makes the compliment feel unnatural.
- While wunderschön is used for people, Germans also frequently use it to describe a view, a day or an object, whereas English speakers might stick to 'beautiful' or 'lovely'.
Examples in context
- Du bist so wunderschön!You're so beautiful.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase du bist so wunderschön.Tatoeba #9237027 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1895571 by CK
- Hans, du siehst heute unglaublich schön aus!Hans, you look incredibly beautiful today!
- Ich liebe dich, du bist so wunderschön.I love you, you are so beautiful.
Example conversation
Maximilian is complimenting Sarah on her dress at a party.
- MaximilianDu siehst toll aus, Sarah!You look great, Sarah!
- SarahDanke, das ist lieb von dir.Thank you, that is sweet of you.
- MaximilianNein, wirklich, du bist so wunderschön heute.No, really, you're so beautiful today.
- SarahDu machst mich gerade ganz verlegen.You're making me blush right now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bist, du, so, wunderschön, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
