Chinese phrases
How to say beautiful in Chinese
Beautiful in Chinese is 漂亮 (piào liang) for a person or a thing, and 好美 (hǎo měi) for a view. In everyday talk, 好看 (hǎo kàn) is just as common.
漂亮
beautiful; pretty
Ways to say beautiful
漂亮
Everydaybeautiful; pretty
For women, children, clothes, flowers and places. Also “well done!” after a great shot or move.
好看
Everydaygood-looking; nice
For people, clothes and designs. For films and shows it means “good”: 这部电视剧很好看.
好美
Everydayso beautiful
When you look at a view, a sunset or a photo. 真美 is the same.
美丽
Writtenbeautiful
In writing, songs and travel guides.
帅
Everydayhandsome
For men. Also for anything cool: 好帅 for a great car or a smart move.
What strangers call you
Shop staff and drivers often call young people by these words. They are a normal way to address someone, not flirting.
美女
young lady (literally “beautiful woman”)
To a young woman: 美女，要点什么?
帅哥
young man (literally “handsome guy”)
To a young man, to get his attention.
Common mistakes
Saying 美丽 in conversation
美丽 belongs in writing and songs. In conversation it sounds like a textbook. Say 漂亮, 好看 or 好美.
Calling a man 漂亮
漂亮 is for women, children and things. For a man, say 帅 or 很帅.
Reading 漂 as piāo
漂 is piāo in 漂流, “rafting,” but in 漂亮 it’s piào, and 亮 takes the neutral tone: piào liang.
Trying on a dress
这条裙子怎么样？
Qiqi: What do you think of this dress?
很好看！颜色也很漂亮。
Leon: It looks great! The colour is beautiful too.
那我就买这条了。
Qiqi: Then I’ll take this one.
