Chinese phrases
How to say handsome in Chinese
Handsome in Chinese is 帅 (shuài). In conversation people say 很帅 (hěn shuài) or 好帅 (hǎo shuài), and 帅 also means “cool” for a move, a car or an answer.
帅
handsome
Ways to say handsome
帅
Everydayhandsome; cool
The everyday word for a good-looking man. Usually with 很: 他很帅.
好帅
With friendsso handsome; so cool
The reaction when you see a photo, an actor, or someone do something great.
帅哥
Everydayhandsome guy; young man
About a good-looking man, and as a friendly way to address any young man you don’t know.
帅气
Everydayhandsome; dashing
Looks and style together: a sharp suit, a confident walk. Also for women with a cool style.
好看
Everydaygood-looking
For men and women. Softer than 帅, often about the face.
有型
With friendsstylish; has a look
About style more than the face: a haircut, a beard, the way he dresses.
英俊
Writtenhandsome (written)
In novels and descriptions. In conversation it sounds old-fashioned.
More ways to use 帅
太帅了
that was so cool!
After a great goal, a trick or a smart answer.
你今天好帅
you look sharp today
To a friend who dressed up.
他长得很帅
he’s good-looking
长得 points to looks, not style or actions.
Common mistakes
Calling a man 漂亮
漂亮 is for women, children and things. For a man, say 帅 or 好看.
Reading 帅哥 as flirting
When a shop assistant calls you 帅哥, they are just getting your attention, the way they call a young woman 美女.
Saying shuāi
帅 is fourth tone: shuài. With a first tone it sounds like 摔, “to fall.”
Looking at a photo
你看，这是我男朋友。
Qiqi: Look, this is my boyfriend.
哇，好帅啊！
Leon: Wow, he’s so handsome!
是吧？他还很会做饭。
Qiqi: Right? And he’s a great cook.
那就更帅了。
Leon: Even better.
