How To Say Beautiful In French: 15 Easy Ways

French, a language renowned for its elegance and romance, offers a plethora of ways to express beauty. Beyond the simple beau and belle, French offers a rich tapestry of words that can paint vivid pictures and evoke deep emotions. By exploring these linguistic gems, you’ll not only enrich your vocabulary but also gain a deeper appreciation for French culture and its sophisticated expression of beauty. So, let’s embark on this delightful journey and discover the many ways to say beautiful in French.

Common French Words for “Beautiful”

1. Beau (Masculine) / Belle (Feminine): The Timeless Classics

These are the most basic words for “beautiful” in French. They can be used to describe people, objects, or landscapes.

• Examples
  • C’est un beau jour. (It’s a beautiful day.)
  • Elle est très belle. (She is very beautiful.)
  • C’est un beau livre. (It’s a beautiful book.)

2. Joli(e): A Touch of Charm

“Joli” and “Jolie” are often used to describe something that is pretty, cute, or charming. It’s a more delicate and affectionate way to express beauty.

• Examples
  • C’est une jolie fleur. (It’s a pretty flower.)
  • Il a un joli sourire. (He has a nice smile.)
  • C’est un joli petit village. (It’s a cute little village.)

3. Magnifique: Dazzling and Impressive

“Magnifique” is used for something truly stunning, impressive, or spectacular. It’s a more intense way to express beauty.

• Examples
  • C’est une vue magnifique. (It’s a magnificent view.)
  • Le château est magnifique. (The castle is magnificent.)
  • La robe de mariée était magnifique. (The wedding dress was magnificent.)

Improve your French manners by learning how to say “please” in French with practical examples and simple tips.

Romantic Expressions to Compliment Someone

1. Ravissant(e): Enchanting Beauty

Ravissant and ravissante are perfect for expressing admiration for someone’s enchanting beauty. It’s a word that evokes feelings of wonder and delight.

Example sentences:

• Tu es ravissante ce soir. (You look enchanting tonight.)
• Son sourire est absolument ravissant. (Her smile is absolutely enchanting.)

2. Éblouissant(e): Dazzling Looks

Éblouissant and éblouissante convey a sense of being struck by someone’s dazzling appearance. It’s ideal for complimenting someone who is exceptionally beautiful or stylish.

Example sentences:

• Tu es éblouissante dans cette robe. (You look dazzling in that dress.)
• Ses yeux éblouissants m’ont hypnotisé. (His dazzling eyes hypnotized me.)

3. Charmant(e): Charming and Elegant

Charmant and charmante are versatile terms that can be used to compliment someone’s personality, appearance, or both. They convey a sense of elegance, grace, and charm.

Example sentences:

• Tu es si charmant(e)! (You’re so charming!)
• Il a un charme fou. (He has incredible charm.)
• Elle est charmante et intelligente. (She is charming and intelligent.)

Describing Nature’s Beauty in French

1. Splendide: Stunning Views

Splendide is a powerful word to describe something truly magnificent. Whether it’s a breathtaking sunset or a majestic mountain range, splendide captures the essence of awe-inspiring beauty.

Example sentences:

• Le paysage est splendide. (The landscape is splendid.)
• Le coucher de soleil était splendide. (The sunset was splendid.)

2. Merveilleux/Merveilleuse: A Marvelous Scene

Merveilleux and merveilleuse convey a sense of wonder and amazement. They’re perfect for describing something that is truly extraordinary or magical.

Example sentences:

• C’est un tableau merveilleux. (It’s a marvelous painting.)
• La nature est merveilleuse. (Nature is marvelous.)

3. Pittoresque: Picturesque Scenery

Pittoresque is used to describe something that is charmingly picturesque or quaint. It’s often used for landscapes, villages, or towns with a distinctive character.

Example sentences:

• Le village est très pittoresque. (The village is very picturesque.)
• La campagne française est très pittoresque. (The French countryside is very picturesque.)

Complementing Someone’s Personality as Beautiful

1. Rayonnant(e): Radiant Personality

Rayonnant and rayonnante describe someone who radiates positivity and warmth. It’s perfect for complimenting someone’s cheerful and inspiring nature.

Example sentences:

• Tu es toujours si rayonnante. (You’re always so radiant.)
• Son sourire est si rayonnant. (Her smile is so radiant.)

2. Lumineux/Lumineuse: Luminous and Inspiring

Lumineux and lumineuse suggest a person who is bright, intelligent, and inspiring. It’s a great way to compliment someone’s mind and spirit.

Example sentences:

• Il a un esprit lumineux. (He has a bright mind.)
• Elle est une personne lumineuse. (She is a luminous person.)

3. Gracieux/Gracieuse: Graceful and Elegant

Gracieux and gracieuse describe someone who is graceful, elegant, and refined in their behavior and demeanor.

Example sentences:

• Elle est si gracieuse dans ses mouvements. (She is so graceful in her movements.)
• Il a une grâce naturelle. (He has a natural grace.)

Formal and Poetic Alternatives

1. Sublime: Ethereal Elegance

Sublime is a powerful word that conveys a sense of awe and transcendence. It’s perfect for describing someone who is exceptionally beautiful or inspiring.

Example sentences:

• Sa beauté est sublime. (Her beauty is sublime.)
• Son talent est tout simplement sublime. (His talent is simply sublime.)

2. Exquis(e): Exquisite Sophistication

Exquis and exquise are used to describe something that is extremely beautiful, delicate, or well-crafted. It’s a sophisticated way to compliment someone’s appearance or personality.

Example sentences:

• Sa robe est exquise. (Her dress is exquisite.)
• Sa sensibilité est exquise. (Her sensitivity is exquisite.)

3. Divin(e): Divine and Rare Beauty

Divin and divine suggest a level of beauty or perfection that is almost supernatural. It’s a highly poetic and romantic way to compliment someone.

Example sentences:

• Tu es divine! (You’re divine!)
• Son regard est divin. (His gaze is divine.)

Impress your French crush with these fun expressions—check out 21+ Phrases to Flirt in French Which You Must Know!

Regional Slang and Informal Expressions

1. Canon: Slang for Hot or Attractive

Canon is a slang term that originated in French-speaking African countries, particularly in West Africa. It’s used to describe someone who is physically attractive or hot.

Example sentences:

• Il est canon, ce mec! (He’s hot, that guy!)
• Elle est canon, cette fille! (She’s hot, that girl!)

2. Chouette: Cool and Fun

Chouette is a versatile word that can be used to express approval, excitement, or simply to say something is cool or fun. It’s a casual way to compliment someone or something.

Example sentences:

• C’est une idée chouette! (That’s a cool idea!)
• Il est vraiment chouette, ce nouveau restaurant. (This new restaurant is really cool.)

3. Top: Simple Yet Impactful Compliment

Top is a simple yet effective way to compliment someone. It can be used to express approval or admiration for a person, an idea, or a thing.

Example sentences:

• Ta nouvelle coupe, c’est top! (Your new haircut is great!)
• Ton travail est top! (Your work is great!)

How to Combine Adjectives for More Emphasis?

To elevate your compliments to new heights, consider combining adjectives. This technique allows you to express more nuanced emotions and create a richer description. By pairing words together, you can convey deeper meanings and stronger feelings.

Examples:

1. Belle et sublime: This combination highlights a person’s striking beauty and elegance.

Example: Elle est belle et sublime. (She is beautiful and sublime.)

2. Charmant et intelligent: This pairing suggests a person who is both charming and intellectually stimulating.

Example: Il est charmant et intelligent. (He is charming and intelligent.)

3. Joli et drôle: This combination describes someone who is both attractive and funny.

Example: Elle est jolie et drôle. (She is pretty and funny.)

By experimenting with different adjective combinations, you can create unique and expressive compliments that will leave a lasting impression.

If you’re learning romantic expressions, check out How to Say “I Miss You” in French for simple, heartfelt phrases.

Conclusion

French, the language of love and elegance, offers a stunning array of words to express admiration. From the simple beau to the poetic merveilleux, these linguistic gems can elevate your compliments and captivate your audience. By incorporating these words into your daily life, you’ll not only sound more sophisticated but also immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of French culture. Ready to impress with your French compliments? Start your journey today with La Forêt French Class. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you say stunning in French?

Ans: “Impressionnant(e)” or “époustouflant(e)” can be used to describe something stunning.

2. How do you say breathtaking in French?

Ans: “À couper le souffle” is a common phrase used to describe something breathtaking.