How to Say You Are Beautiful in French

Co-authored by Lorenzo Garriga

Last Updated: August 17, 2023 Fact Checked

French is the language of romance; its sounds and accents just roll together off of the tongue to create a feeling of love. Even sad songs can sound like love songs to a non-French speaker. What better phrase to learn how to say in French than something as beautiful as the language itself?

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Talking to Women

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1
Tell a woman she is beautiful with "Tu es belle." This literally translates to "You are beautiful." The first part, "tu es" means "you are," and the word "belle" translates as "beautiful."^{[1]
X
Research source}
- "Tu es belle" is pronounced as "Two eh bell."
2
Use the formal "vous êtes belle" when talking to superiors, the elderly, or distinguished people. "Vous" is the formal version of "tu," and is used in "proper" conversation. Though there is no hard and fast rule for when to use "vous," a good rule of thumb is to use it for anyone you would refer to as "Ms." or "Mrs." in English.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Pronounce this as "vooz eht bell."
- Note how there is no "s" at the end of belle when speaking to one person.
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3
Tell multiple women they are beautiful by saying "Vous êtes belles." This is the plural form of the equation, but the translation is the same.^{[3]
X
Research source} Note how you cannot just add an "s" to belles, you need to use the plural form of "you are" as well -- "Vous êtes."
- Pronounce this as "vooz eht bell."
4
Learn synonyms for the word "beautiful" in French. If you want to spice up your romantic vocabulary, there are a lot of words that you can substitute for "belle."^{[4]
X
Research source} Try out these, adding them in the phrases "Tu es _____" or "Vous êtes ____:"
- Jolie: Pretty
- Mignonne: Cute
- Superbe, Splendide: Gorgeous
- Séduisante: Alluring or attractive
- Une jolie femme:A beautiful woman.
- Tu es la plus belle fille que j'ai jamais vue: You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Talking to Men

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1
Tell a man he is beautiful with "Tu es beau." The male form of the word beautiful is "beau." Beau has the same meaning as the female word "belle," but it is male version of the word.
- Pronounce this "two eh boh"
- "Beau" is often translated as "Handsome" when speaking about a male.
2
Use the formal "vous êtes beau" when talking to superiors, the elderly, or distinguished people. "Vous" is the formal version of "tu," and is used in proper conversation. Though there is no hard and fast rule for when to use "vous," a good rule of thumb is to use it for anyone you would refer to as "Mr." in English^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Pronounce this as "vooz eht boh."
3
Tell multiple men they are beautiful or handsome by saying "Vous êtes beaux." This is the plural form of the equation, but the translation is the same. To make the word ending in "au" plural, you need to add an "x", making "beaux." You need to use the plural form of "you are" as well -- "Vous êtes _____"
- Pronounce this as "vooz eht boh." The "x" is silent.
4
Learn synonyms for "beautiful/handsome" in French. If you want to spice up your romantic vocabulary, there are a lot of words that you can substitute for "beau."^{[6]
X
Research source} Try out these, adding them in the phrases "Tu es _____" or "Vous êtes ____:"
- Joli: Pretty
- Mignon: Cute
- Superb, Splendid: Gorgeous
- Séduisant: Alluring or attractive
- Un bel homme: a handsome man.
- Tu es le plus beau garçon que j'ai jamais vu: You are the most beautiful boy I've ever seen.

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Question

How do I say, "I love you" or "I'm in love with you" in French?

Niels Zwaan

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I love you = Je t'aime. I'm in love with you = Je suis amoureux/amoureuse de toi.

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How do I say something such as a picture is beautiful?

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"Beau/belle" depending on whether what's being described is masculine or feminine. "Cette photo est belle."

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How do I say "beautiful and wonderful Montreal" in French Canadian?

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The exact translation is "Beau et merveilleux Montréa,l" but "La belle et merveilleuse ville de Montréal!" would be a bit more satisfying.

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Tips

Adding the word "très" (pronounced: trε) after "tu es" or "vous êtes" changes the meaning to "you are very beautiful".

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