How to say you're beautiful in French plus 76 more compliments
Author
If French seems like a difficult language, you’re in for a treat. Beautiful in French is pretty straightforward, and you can use the same word for both people and objects.
There’s a small caveat though: the feminine and masculine forms are different, and of course, so are plural forms. But if you’ve started to learn French, you already know that.
If the person or object is masculine, use “beau” or “bel” depending on what comes after it. If the person or object is feminine, use “belle”. For plural, respectively, “beaux” and “belles”. Easy, right? If not, here is a little video help.
Positive words, like compliments, are a wonderful way to engage in a conversation and make friends. French people might not be the most generous with compliments, but they will certainly appreciate one and reward you with a big “merci”. Just make sure to use an adequate expression, and of course, choose wisely between “tu” and “vous”.
In the list below, we’ve mostly used “tu”, as most compliments are said to a friend or somebody you know well. We’ve only used “vous” for compliments in a professional environment.
C’est parti !
How to say beautiful in French
Oh là là, French is such a romantic language! But “beautiful” can be used in a wide variety of situations. From describing a landscape to complementing your friends or colleagues, we have you covered. C’est pas beau ça ?
How to say you are beautiful in French
You fell in love with a handsome Montréalais, or a good looking Marseillaise? Or maybe you just want to compliment a friend before going out? Here is a small guide to know exactly what to say… and to whom!
| English | French | IPA | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| You look beautiful! | Tu es magnifique ! | tyɛ maɲifikə ! | |
| Simply stunning outfit! | Cette tenue est superbe ! | sɛtə tənɥɛ sypɛɾbə ! | |
| You are beautiful, inside and out | Tu es beau/belle, à l'intérieur comme à l'extérieur | tyɛ bo/bɛlə, a lɛ̃teɾjœɾ kɔm a lɛksteɾjœɾ | |
| You’re so handsome | Tu es très beau/belle | tyɛ tɾe bo/bɛlə | |
| You are so pretty | Tu es très joli(e) | tyɛ tɾe ʒɔli(ɛ) | |
| You’re really good looking! | Tu es vraiment beau/belle ! | tyɛ vɾɛmə bo/bɛlə ! | |
| You look gorgeous! | Tu es superbe ! | tyɛ sypɛɾbə ! | |
| You’re attractive | Tu es séduisant(e) | tyɛ sedɥizɑ̃t(ɛ) | |
| You’re hot | Tu es canon | tyɛ kanõ | For a close friend or a love interest |
| You look nice | Tu as fière allure | ty a fjɛɾ alyɾə | |
| You’re cute | Tu es mignon(ne) | tyɛ miɲo(nɛ) | |
| You’re lovely | Tu es charmant(e) | tyɛ ʃaɾmɑ̃t(ɛ) | |
| You’re sexy | Tu es sexy | tyɛ səgzi | For a love interest only |
| You’re delightful | Tu es ravissant(e) | tyɛ ɾavisɑ̃t(ɛ) |
How to say a thing is beautiful in French
Imagine this: You’re visiting the Louvre, and all of the sudden, you find the most amazing painting. How do you share your amazement with everybody else? Well, here’s how!
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| What a beautiful lamp | Quelle belle lampe | kɛlə bɛlə lɑ̃pə |
| I love your home office | J'adore ton bureau à domicile | ʒadɔɾə tõ byɾo a dɔmisilə |
| Exquisite choice of decor | Un choix de décor exquis | œ̃ ʃwaks də dekɔɾ ɛkski |
| It’s a nice table | C'est une belle table | sɛt‿ ynə bɛlə tablə |
| What a pretty painting | Quelle belle peinture | kɛlə bɛlə pɛ̃tyɾə |
| This landscape is breathtaking | Ce paysage est époustouflant | sə pɛjsaʒɛt‿ epustuflɑ̃ |
| This waterfall is wonderful | Cette cascade est merveilleuse | sɛtə kaskadɛ mɛɾvɛjøzə |
| This coffee shop is delightful | Ce café est charmant | sə kafeɛ ʃaɾmɑ̃ |
How to compliment someone on their work in French
Compliments in a workplace can go a long way. Here are a few expressions to help you maintain a positive vibe au travail!
| English | French | IPA | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| You did a really great job today | Vous avez fait un excellent travail aujourd'hui | vuz‿ ave fɛt‿ œ̃n‿ ɛkssɛlə tɾavaj oʒuɾdɥi | |
| You excelled at that presentation! | Vous avez excellé dans cette présentation ! | vuz‿ avez‿ ɛkssɛle dɑ̃ sɛtə pɾezɑ̃tasjõ ! | Formal |
| I was very impressed by your report | J'ai été très impressionné(e) par votre rapport | ʒe ete tɾɛz‿ ɛ̃pɾɛsjɔne(ɛ) paɾ vɔtɾə ɾapɔɾ | |
| You are really talented | Vous avez beaucoup de talent | vuz‿ ave boku də talə | |
| Congratulations on a job well done! | Félicitations pour votre travail ! | felisitatjõ puɾ vɔtɾə tɾavaj ! | |
| Nice work | Beau travail | bo tɾavaj | |
| Good job | Bon travail | bõ tɾavaj | |
| Thumbs up | Chapeau | ʃapo | |
| I congratulate you | Je vous félicite | ʒə vu felisitə | |
| Congratulations | Félicitations | felisitatjõ | |
| My compliments | Mes compliments | me kõplimɑ̃ | |
| Bravo | Bravo | bɾavo | |
| You earned it | Vous l'avez mérité | vu lave meɾite | |
| It’s well deserved | C'est bien mérité | sɛ bjɛ̃ meɾite | |
| Your hard work paid off | Votre travail acharné a porté ses fruits | vɔtɾə tɾavaj aʃaɾne a pɔɾtese fɾɥi | Formal |
How to compliment someone on their appearance, clothing or things in French
In France, looks are important — sometimes too important. Many French will carefully select their outfit just to go get a baguette. So, complimenting somebody on their style is sure to faire plaisir, especially in the French capital of fashion!
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Love your shoes! | J'adore tes chaussures ! | ʒadɔɾəte ʃosyɾə ! |
| You have a gorgeous home | Tu as une maison magnifique | ty az‿ ynəm(e)zõ maɲifikə |
| That’s an incredible dress you’re wearing | Quelle robe géniale ! | kɛlə ɾɔbə ʒenjalə ! |
| Great outfit | Superbe tenue | sypɛɾbə tənɥə |
| Nice dress | Belle robe | bɛlə ɾɔbə |
| I like your style | J'aime ton style | ʒɛmə tõ stilə |
| I like your look | J'aime ton look | ʒɛmə tõ loo |
| You’re very classy | Tu as beaucoup de classe | ty a boku də klasə |
| You look very elegant | Tu es très élégant(e) | tyɛ tɾɛz‿ elegɑ̃t(ɛ) |
| You’re trendy | Tu es branché(e) | tyɛ bɾɑ̃ʃe(ɛ) |
| You’ve great taste | Tu as beaucoup de goût | ty a boku də gu |
| Where did you get this purse? | Où as-tu trouvé ce sac à main ? | u a-ty tɾuve sə sak a mɛ̃ ? |
| That’s very flattering | C'est très flatteur | sɛ tɾe flatœɾ |
| It fits you well | Il/elle te va bien | il/ɛlə tə va bjɛ̃ |
How to compliment someone on their personality or lifestyle in French
Even to French people, looks are not the only thing that matters. If you are looking for compliments in French that are a little less… shallow, we have compiled a list of positive qualities you can highlight.
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| You are so brave! | Tu es très courageux/courageuse ! | tyɛ tɾe kuɾaʒ(ø)ks/kuɾaʒøzə ! |
| You are charming | Tu es charmant(e) | tyɛ ʃaɾmɑ̃t(ɛ) |
| You are very sweet | Tu es adorable | tyɛz‿ adɔɾablə |
| You are generous | Tu es généreux/généreuse | tyɛ ʒeneɾœks/ʒeneɾøzə |
| You are very kind | Tu es très gentil(le) | tyɛ tɾe ʒɑ̃til(lɛ) |
| You are very thoughtful | Tu es très attentionné(e) | tyɛ tɾɛz‿ atɑ̃tjɔne(ɛ) |
| You’re smart | Tu es intelligent(e) | tyɛz‿ ɛ̃tɛliʒɑ̃t(ɛ) |
| You’re funny | Tu es drôle | tyɛ dɾolə |
| You’re inspiring | Tu es inspirant(e) | tyɛz‿ ɛ̃spiɾɑ̃t(ɛ) |
| You’re hard working | Tu travailles dur | ty tɾavajə dyɾ |
| You’re so patient | Tu es très patient(e) | tyɛ tɾe patjɑ̃t(ɛ) |
| You’re wonderful | Tu es merveilleux/merveilleuse | tyɛ mɛɾvɛj(ø)ks/mɛɾvɛjøzə |
| You’re amazing | Tu es incroyable | tyɛz‿ ɛ̃kɾwajablə |
| You’re awesome | Tu es génial(e) | tyɛ ʒənjal(ɛ) |
| You’re genius | Tu es un génie | tyɛz‿ œ̃ ʒenjə |
| You’re very creative | Tu es très créatif/créative | tyɛ tɾe kɾeatif/kɾeativə |
| You’re reliable | Tu es fiable | tyɛ fjablə |
| You’re trustworthy | Tu es digne de confiance | tyɛ diɲə də kõfjɑ̃sə |
| You’re a free spirit | Tu es un esprit libre | tyɛz‿ œ̃n‿ ɛspɾi libɾə |
| You’re independent | Tu es indépendant(e) | tyɛz‿ ɛ̃depɑ̃dɑ̃t(ɛ) |
| You rock | Tu déchires | ty deʃiɾə |
| You’re the best | Tu es le/la meilleur(e) | tyɛ lɛ/la mɛjœɾ(ɛ) |
| You’re a good person | Tu as bon cœur | ty a bõ kœɾ |
| You have a good character | Tu as bon caractère | ty a bõ kaɾaktɛɾə |
| You’re nice to be around | Tu es agréable à côtoyer | tyɛz‿ agɾeabl a kotwaje |
How to respond to compliments in French
Last but not least, here are a couple of ways to answer a compliment in French. You can also check out this article on ways to say thank you. Trop gentil !
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| That’s very kind of you | C'est très gentil de ta part | sɛ tɾe ʒɑ̃til də ta paɾ |
| Thank you so much | Merci beaucoup | mɛɾsi boku |
| That means a lot | Cela signifie beaucoup pour moi | səla siɲifjə boku |
| That’s very kind | C'est très gentil | sɛ tɾe ʒɑ̃til |
| I appreciate | J'apprécie | ʒapɾesjə |
| I can return the compliment | Je te retourne le compliment | ʒə pø tə ɾətuɾne lə kõplimə |
Compliments in France: a mitigate culture
Who doesn’t love compliments? Well, while French people certainly appreciate them, they don’t give them as easily as some other cultures. For example, in the US or Canada, it’s very common to be encouraged by your boss or your teacher, but not in France. Basically, if you don’t hear any complaints, it means that people are happy with you.
Friends or relatives might compliment each other, but many people will not give “fake” compliments. For example, if they think your outfit is questionable, they might say “C’est original mais je ne le porterais pas” (It’s original but I wouldn’t wear it) but they won’t say “C’est joli”.
In general, they also tend to be a little less enthusiastic about things. You will not see a French person (except me, maybe), screaming and jumping in awe in front of a breathtaking landscape… or a super cute dress.
Finally, it’s rare to receive a compliment from a total stranger… unless they are trying to sell you something or have another agenda! A sociologist explains why French culture is so compliment-greedy in this short video.
Even though French people can be sparing with their compliments, if they tell you one, it’s likely they really mean it. So don’t be shy and return the compliment when you can. Just make sure to refer to this list to have the perfect compliment at hand, et le tour est joué !
And if you love learning fun French vocabulary for free? You know where to go (our French learning blog).
