Difference between revisions of "Comparing "meili" and "piaoliang""

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美丽 and 漂亮 both are adjectives that mean beautiful. 美丽 is used in formal settings, whereas 漂亮 is used in informal settings. While both words can be used interchangeably to praise a woman or girl’s physical appearance, when used as such they portray different meaning (美丽 meaning elegant vs. 漂亮 meaning pretty or good-looking). A key difference between these two is 美丽 is often used to describe abstract thoughts or ideas (a story, a legend, etc.), whereas 漂亮 is often used to describe concrete actions or movements (in sports, a performance, a speech, etc.).
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美丽 (měilì) and 漂亮 (piàoliang) both are adjectives that mean "beautiful." 美丽 is used in more formal contexts, whereas 漂亮 is used in informal contexts. While both words can be used interchangeably to praise a woman or girl’s physical appearance, a key difference between these two is that 美丽 is more "classically beautiful," and is also often used to describe abstract thoughts or ideas, whereas 漂亮, more like "pretty," can also be used to describe concrete actions or movements (in sports, a performance, a speech, etc.).
  
 
{{SimilarWordsCol1|美丽|měilì|beautiful, elegant|adjective|formal}}
 
{{SimilarWordsCol1|美丽|měilì|beautiful, elegant|adjective|formal}}
{{SimilarWordsCol2|漂亮|piàoliang|beautiful, pretty, good-looking|adjective|informal}}
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{{SimilarWordsCol2|漂亮|piàoliang|pretty, good-looking|adjective|informal}}
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{{SimilarWordsPageInfo|B1|HSK2|ASV4567}}
 
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== To describe natural scenery that is beautiful both 美丽 and 漂亮 can be used. ==
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== Use both 美丽 and 漂亮 to praise physical appearance ==
  
While both words can be used, 美丽 is used in formal settings, while 漂亮 is used in informal settings.
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When used as such 美丽 and 漂亮 portray different meaning:美丽 meaning elegant and 漂亮 meaning pretty or good-looking.
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=== Example Sentences ===
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<div class="liju">
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* 我 很 想 认识 那个 <em>漂亮</em> 的 <strong>女孩儿</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ hěn xiǎng rènshi nàge <em>piàoliang</em> de <strong>nǚháir</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I would love to meet that pretty girl.</span>
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* 这部 电影 的 主角 是 一 个 <em>美丽</em> 的 <strong>姑娘</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhèbù diànyǐng de zhǔjué shì yī gè <em>měilì</em> de <strong>gūniang</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The main character in this film is a beautiful girl.</span>
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* 他 最 小 的 <strong>女儿</strong> 长 得 最 <em>漂亮</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā zuì xiǎo de <strong>nǚ’ér</strong> cháng de zuì <em>piàoliang</em>.</span><span class="trans">His youngest daughter is the prettiest.</span>
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* 我 <strong>妈妈</strong> 年轻 时 也 是 一 个 <em>美丽</em> 的 女人。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>māma</strong> niánqīng shí yě shì yī gè <em>měilì</em> de nǚrén.</span><span class="trans">My mother was also a beautiful woman when she was young.</span>
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</div>
  
=== Common Phrases ===  
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== Use 美丽 and 漂亮 to describe scenery ==
  
<div class="liju dapei">
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While both words can be used, 美丽 is used in formal settings, while 漂亮 is used in informal settings.
 
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=== Example Sentences ===
* ~的风景
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<div class="liju">
* 风景很~
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* 这里 的 <strong>风景</strong> 特别 <em>美丽</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ de <strong>fēngjǐng</strong> tèbié <em>měilì</em>.</span><span class="trans">The scenery is particularly beautiful.
* 景色很~
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* 海南 夏天 的 <strong>风景</strong> 很 <em>漂亮</em>。<span class="pinyin">Hǎinán xiàtiān de <strong>fēngjǐng</strong> hěn <em>piàoliang</em>.</span><span class="trans">The summer scenery in Hainan is beautiful.</span>
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* 上海 的 <strong>夜景</strong> 比 北京 的 夜景 更 <em>美丽</em>。<span class="pinyin">Shànghǎi de <strong>yèjǐng</strong> bǐ Běijīng de yèjǐng gèng  <em>měilì</em>.</span><span class="trans">The night skyline of Shanghai is even more beautiful than the night skyline of Beijing.</span>
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* 他 住 在 湖边,听说 那里 的 <strong>景色</strong> 很 <em>漂亮</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā zhù zài húbiān, tīngshuō nàli de <strong>jǐngsè</strong> hěn <em>piàoliang</em>.</span><span class="trans">He lives by the lake and I hear it's beautiful.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== To praise a woman or girl’s physical appearance both 美丽 and 漂亮 can be used ==
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== Use 漂亮 To say “beautiful” in terms of concrete actions or movements ==
  
When used as such 美丽 and 漂亮 portray different meaning:美丽 meaning elegant and 漂亮 meaning pretty or good-looking.
+
=== Common Phrases ===
  
=== Common Phrases ===
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Note that for these phrases, 漂亮 is not always modifying a noun. It can also modify a verb as a [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Complement complement]. This makes sense, since we're describing actions here.
  
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
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* 漂亮 的 动作<span class="pinyin">piàoliang de dòngzuò</span><span class="trans">graceful movements</span>
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* 漂亮 的 话<span class="pinyin">piàoliang de huà</span><span class="trans">beautiful words</span>
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* 说 得 很 漂亮<span class="pinyin">shuō de hěn piàoliang</span><span class="trans">beautifully spoken</span>
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* 写 得 很 漂亮<span class="pinyin">xiě de hěn piàoliang</span><span class="trans">beautifully written</span>
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* 办 得 很 漂亮<span class="pinyin">bàn de hěn piàoliang</span><span class="trans">nicely done</span>
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* 篮球 打 得 很 漂亮<span class="pinyin">lánqiú dǎ de hěn piàoliang</span><span class="trans">to play basketball skillfully</span>
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</div>
  
* ~的女孩儿
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=== Example Sentences ===
* ~姑娘
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* 长得~
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<div class="liju">
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* 这 真 是 一 个 <em>漂亮</em> 的 <strong>动作</strong> ,你 可以 再 做 一 次 吗?<span class="pinyin">Zhè zhēnshi yī gè <em>piàoliang</em> de <strong>dòngzuò</strong>, nǐ kěyǐ zài zuò yī cì ma?</span><span class="trans">That was a beautiful move. Can you do it again?</span>
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* <em>漂亮</em> 的 <strong>话</strong> 谁 都 可以 说,但是 真正 可以 把 工作 做 好 的 人 却 很 少。<span class="pinyin"><em>piàoliang</em> de <strong>huà</strong> shéi dōu kěyǐ shuō, dànshì zhēnzhèng kěyǐ bǎ gōngzuò zuòhǎo de rén què hěn shǎo.</span><span class="trans">Anyone can say some nice words, but very few people can actually get the job done.</span>
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* 他 每次 说话 都 <strong>说 得</strong> 很 <em>漂亮</em>,但是 他 的 工作 做 得 不 好。<span class="pinyin">Tā měicì shuōhuà dōu <strong>shuō de</strong> hěn <em>piàoliang</em>, dànshì tā de gōngzuò zuò de bù hǎo.</span><span class="trans">He talks a good game every time he speaks, but he doesn't do his job well.</span>
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* 你 写字 <strong>写 得</strong> 很 <em>漂亮</em>,可以 教 我 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiězì <strong>xiě de</strong> hěn <em>piàoliang</em>, kěyǐ jiāo wǒ ma?</span><span class="trans">You write beautifully. Can you teach me?</span>
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* 这件 事情 你 <strong>办 得</strong> 很 <em>漂亮</em>,老板 一定 会 给 你 发 奖金 的。<span class="pinyin">Zhèjiàn shìqing nǐ <strong>bàn de</strong> hěn <em>piàoliang</em>, lǎobǎn yīdìng huì gěi nǐ fā jiǎngjīn de.</span><span class="trans">You've done a great job on this one, and the boss will definitely give you a bonus.</span>
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* 小王 打 篮球 <strong>打 得</strong> 很 <em>漂亮</em>,大家 都 喜欢 和 他 一起 玩。<span class="pinyin">XiǎoWáng dǎ lánqiú <strong>dǎ de</strong> hěn <em>piàoliang</em>, dàjiā dōu xǐhuan hé tā yīqǐ wán.</span><span class="trans">Xiao Wang plays basketball really well, and everyone likes to play with him.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== To say “beautiful” in terms of concrete actions or movements in sports, a performance, a speech, etc. use 漂亮 ==
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== Use 美丽 to say “beautiful” in terms of abstract thoughts or ideas ==
  
 
=== Common Phrases ===  
 
=== Common Phrases ===  
  
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 +
* 美丽 的 家乡<span class="pinyin">měilì de jiāxiāng</span><span class="trans">beautiful hometown</span>
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* 美丽 的 故事<span class="pinyin">měilì de gùshi</span><span class="trans">beautiful story</span>
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* 美丽 的 传说<span class="pinyin">měilì de chuánshuō</span><span class="trans">beautiful legend</span>
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</div>
  
* 漂亮的动作
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=== Example Sentences ===
* 漂亮的话
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* 说得很漂亮
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<div class="liju">
* 写得很漂亮
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* 在 我 <em>美丽</em> 的 <strong>家乡</strong> 有 很 多 苹果 树。<span class="pinyin">Zài wǒ <em>měilì</em> de <strong>jiāxiāng</strong> yǒu hěn duō píngguǒ shù.</span><span class="trans">There are many apple trees in my beautiful hometown.</span>
* 办得很漂亮
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* 这 是 我 听说 过 的 最 <em>美丽</em> 的 <strong>故事</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì wǒ tīngshuō guo de zuì <em>měilì</em> de <strong>gùshi</strong>.</span><span class="trans">It is the most beautiful story I have ever heard.</span>
* 篮球打得很漂亮
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* 在 我 的 老家 有 一 个 <em>美丽</em> 的 <strong>传说</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Zài wǒ de lǎojiā yǒu yī gè <em>měilì</em> de <strong>chuánshuō</strong>.</span><span class="trans">There is a beautiful legend in my old home town.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== To say “beautiful” in terms of abstract thoughts or ideas, i.e., a story, a legend, a homeland etc. use 美丽 ==
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== Sources and further reading ==
  
=== Common Phrases ===  
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=== Websites ===
 
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
  
* 的传说
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* [https://m.iask.sina.com.cn/mib/734745.html 美丽与漂亮有何区别?]
* 的故事
 
* 的家乡
 
</div>
 

Latest revision as of 07:05, 6 May 2022

美丽 (měilì) and 漂亮 (piàoliang) both are adjectives that mean "beautiful." 美丽 is used in more formal contexts, whereas 漂亮 is used in informal contexts. While both words can be used interchangeably to praise a woman or girl’s physical appearance, a key difference between these two is that 美丽 is more "classically beautiful," and is also often used to describe abstract thoughts or ideas, whereas 漂亮, more like "pretty," can also be used to describe concrete actions or movements (in sports, a performance, a speech, etc.).











B1HSK2ASV4567
美丽 (měilì) 漂亮 (piàoliang)
Meaning beautiful, elegant pretty, good-looking
Part of Speech adjective adjective
Formality formal informal

Use both 美丽 and 漂亮 to praise physical appearance

When used as such 美丽 and 漂亮 portray different meaning:美丽 meaning elegant and 漂亮 meaning pretty or good-looking.

Example Sentences

  • 我 很 想 认识 那个 漂亮女孩儿Wǒ hěn xiǎng rènshi nàge piàoliang de nǚháir.I would love to meet that pretty girl.
  • 这部 电影 的 主角 是 一 个 美丽姑娘Zhèbù diànyǐng de zhǔjué shì yī gè měilì de gūniang.The main character in this film is a beautiful girl.
  • 他 最 小 的 女儿 长 得 最 漂亮Tā zuì xiǎo de nǚ’ér cháng de zuì piàoliang.His youngest daughter is the prettiest.
  • 妈妈 年轻 时 也 是 一 个 美丽 的 女人。māma niánqīng shí yě shì yī gè měilì de nǚrén.My mother was also a beautiful woman when she was young.

Use 美丽 and 漂亮 to describe scenery

While both words can be used, 美丽 is used in formal settings, while 漂亮 is used in informal settings.

Example Sentences

  • 这里 的 风景 特别 美丽Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng tèbié měilì.The scenery is particularly beautiful.
  • 海南 夏天 的 风景漂亮Hǎinán xiàtiān de fēngjǐng hěn piàoliang.The summer scenery in Hainan is beautiful.
  • 上海 的 夜景 比 北京 的 夜景 更 美丽Shànghǎi de yèjǐng bǐ Běijīng de yèjǐng gèng měilì.The night skyline of Shanghai is even more beautiful than the night skyline of Beijing.
  • 他 住 在 湖边,听说 那里 的 景色漂亮Tā zhù zài húbiān, tīngshuō nàli de jǐngsè hěn piàoliang.He lives by the lake and I hear it's beautiful.

Use 漂亮 To say “beautiful” in terms of concrete actions or movements

Common Phrases

Note that for these phrases, 漂亮 is not always modifying a noun. It can also modify a verb as a complement. This makes sense, since we're describing actions here.

  • 漂亮 的 动作piàoliang de dòngzuògraceful movements
  • 漂亮 的 话piàoliang de huàbeautiful words
  • 说 得 很 漂亮shuō de hěn piàoliangbeautifully spoken
  • 写 得 很 漂亮xiě de hěn piàoliangbeautifully written
  • 办 得 很 漂亮bàn de hěn piàoliangnicely done
  • 篮球 打 得 很 漂亮lánqiú dǎ de hěn piàoliangto play basketball skillfully

Example Sentences

  • 这 真 是 一 个 漂亮动作 ,你 可以 再 做 一 次 吗?Zhè zhēnshi yī gè piàoliang de dòngzuò, nǐ kěyǐ zài zuò yī cì ma?That was a beautiful move. Can you do it again?
  • 漂亮 谁 都 可以 说,但是 真正 可以 把 工作 做 好 的 人 却 很 少。piàoliang de huà shéi dōu kěyǐ shuō, dànshì zhēnzhèng kěyǐ bǎ gōngzuò zuòhǎo de rén què hěn shǎo.Anyone can say some nice words, but very few people can actually get the job done.
  • 他 每次 说话 都 说 得漂亮,但是 他 的 工作 做 得 不 好。Tā měicì shuōhuà dōu shuō de hěn piàoliang, dànshì tā de gōngzuò zuò de bù hǎo.He talks a good game every time he speaks, but he doesn't do his job well.
  • 你 写字 写 得漂亮,可以 教 我 吗?Nǐ xiězì xiě de hěn piàoliang, kěyǐ jiāo wǒ ma?You write beautifully. Can you teach me?
  • 这件 事情 你 办 得漂亮,老板 一定 会 给 你 发 奖金 的。Zhèjiàn shìqing nǐ bàn de hěn piàoliang, lǎobǎn yīdìng huì gěi nǐ fā jiǎngjīn de.You've done a great job on this one, and the boss will definitely give you a bonus.
  • 小王 打 篮球 打 得漂亮,大家 都 喜欢 和 他 一起 玩。XiǎoWáng dǎ lánqiú dǎ de hěn piàoliang, dàjiā dōu xǐhuan hé tā yīqǐ wán.Xiao Wang plays basketball really well, and everyone likes to play with him.

Use 美丽 to say “beautiful” in terms of abstract thoughts or ideas

Common Phrases

  • 美丽 的 家乡měilì de jiāxiāngbeautiful hometown
  • 美丽 的 故事měilì de gùshibeautiful story
  • 美丽 的 传说měilì de chuánshuōbeautiful legend

Example Sentences

  • 在 我 美丽家乡 有 很 多 苹果 树。Zài wǒ měilì de jiāxiāng yǒu hěn duō píngguǒ shù.There are many apple trees in my beautiful hometown.
  • 这 是 我 听说 过 的 最 美丽故事Zhè shì wǒ tīngshuō guo de zuì měilì de gùshi.It is the most beautiful story I have ever heard.
  • 在 我 的 老家 有 一 个 美丽传说Zài wǒ de lǎojiā yǒu yī gè měilì de chuánshuō.There is a beautiful legend in my old home town.

Sources and further reading

Websites