tu es très belle
In French, "you're very beautiful" is tu es très belle.
This phrase is a compliment used to tell a woman or a girl that she is physically attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tu (you), es (are), très (very) and belle (beautiful).
Which one should you use?
The form tu es très belle is used in informal settings, whereas vous êtes très belle is used to be more formal or polite when addressing a woman. Additionally, vous êtes vraiment magnifique serves as a formal way to say you are very beautiful.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase tu es très belle uses the feminine form belle to address a woman or a girl. To say "you're very handsome" to a man, change the feminine belle to the masculine beau to get tu es très beau. Note that if you are addressing a group of women, you must use the plural form vous êtes très belles rather than tu es très belles.
Did you know?
- The word très shares a root with the English word 'trans', as it evolved from the Latin trāns, meaning 'through' or 'across'.
- While belle means 'beautiful', it is also used in the phrase la Belle Époque to describe the 'Beautiful Era' of French history between 1871 and 1914.
- While tu es très belle is common for close friends, using the formal vous êtes très belle to a stranger can sometimes feel overly dramatic or even flirtatious rather than just polite.
Examples in context
- Tu es très belle.You're very beautiful.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase tu es très belle.Tatoeba #1113915 by Scott, translation #2218475 by CK
- Wow, tu es très belle dans cette tenue.Wow, you're very beautiful in this outfit.
- On te l'a sûrement déjà dit, mais tu es vraiment magnifique.We have surely already told you, but you are truly magnificent.
- Tu es très belle dans cette robe.You are very beautiful in this dress.
- Je le pense, tu es très belle.I think so, you are very beautiful.
Example conversation
Gabriel is complimenting Lea on her appearance before a date.
- GabrielLéa, tu es très belle ce soir.Léa, you're very beautiful tonight.
- LéaC'est gentil, merci Gabriel !That's kind, thank you Gabriel!
- GabrielJe suis sérieux, tu es vraiment ravissante.I'm serious, you are truly lovely.
- LéaTu es adorable, merci beaucoup.You are sweet, thank you very much.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries très, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
