Comparing "meili" and "piaoliang"

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

:Yes

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 的 女孩儿。Wǒ hěn xiǎng rènshi nàge piàoliang de nǚháir.I would love to meet that beautiful girl.
• 这部 电影 的 主角 是 一 个 美丽 的 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 looking.

Use 美丽 and 漂亮 to describe natural 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.
• 风景很～
• 景色很～
• 上海 的 夜景 比 北京 的 夜景 更 漂亮。Shànghǎi de yèjǐng bǐ Běijīng de yèjǐng gèng piàoliang.The night view of Shanghai is even more beautiful than the night view of Beijing.

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

Common Phrases

• 漂亮 的 动作piàoliang de dòngzuòbeautiful gestures
• 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 piàoliangnice job
• 篮球 打 得 很 漂亮lánqiú dǎ de hěn piàoliangto play good basketball

Example Sentences

• 漂亮的动作
• 漂亮的话
• 说得很漂亮
• 写得很漂亮
• 办得很漂亮
• 篮球打得很漂亮

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

Common Phrases

• 美丽 的 传说měilì de chuánshuōa beautiful legend
• 美丽 的 故事měilì de gùshibeautiful stories
• 美丽 的 家乡měilì de jiāxiāngbeautiful hometown

Example Sentences

• 的传说
• 的故事
• 的家乡

Sources and further reading

Websites

美丽与漂亮有何区别? https://m.iask.sina.com.cn/mib/734745.html