Everyday essentials
How to say Beautiful in Chinese
漂亮
piàoliang
Literally: pretty · bright
漂亮 (piàoliang) is the everyday “beautiful” or “pretty” — for people, clothes, a view, a nicely done job. Note 亮 is a neutral tone here: piàoliang.
Other ways to say it
- 美
měi
beautiful
A single, slightly more elegant “beautiful”; also the 美 in 美国 (America).
- 美丽
měilì
beautiful (literary)
More formal and written — for scenery, a beautiful woman, a beautiful country.
- 好看
hǎokàn
good-looking
“Nice to look at” — a plainer, very common compliment for people or things.
In a sentence
你今天真漂亮。
Nǐ jīntiān zhēn piàoliang.
You look really beautiful today.
How do you say "Beautiful" in Chinese?
To say “beautiful” in Chinese, say 漂亮 (piàoliang) for everyday prettiness, or 美 (měi) / 美丽 (měilì) for a more elegant, literary beauty.
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