piàoliang: 漂亮 - Beautiful, Pretty, Well-done

• Keywords: piaoliang, 漂亮, how to say beautiful in Chinese, pretty in Chinese, meaning of piaoliang, well-done in Chinese, Chinese adjective beautiful, HSK 1 vocabulary, Chinese compliments
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 漂亮 (piàoliang), the most common Chinese word for “beautiful” or “pretty.” This comprehensive guide goes beyond a simple translation, exploring how 漂亮 is used not only to describe a person's appearance or a beautiful landscape, but also as a powerful way to say “well-done!” or “impressive!” when praising a skillful action. Discover its cultural nuances, practical examples, and common mistakes to avoid, making your Chinese sound more natural and authentic.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): piàoliang
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: Beautiful, pretty; impressive, well-done.
• In a Nutshell: 漂亮 (piàoliang) is your go-to, everyday word for “beautiful” in Mandarin Chinese. It's used to describe people (mostly women), objects, and scenery that are visually appealing. However, its secret power lies in its secondary meaning: “well-done” or “impressive.” You'll hear it shouted at a sports match after a great goal or said in an office after a successful presentation. It's a versatile, positive word that expresses admiration for both appearance and performance.

• 漂 (piào): While this character can mean “to float” or “drift” (piao, first tone), in this context, it takes the fourth tone (piào) and means “elegant,” “polished,” or “dashing.” The water radical (氵) on the left hints at a sense of fluidity and grace.
• 亮 (liàng): This character means “bright,” “shining,” or “luminous.” It paints a clear picture of something that radiates light and catches the eye.
• Combined Meaning: When you combine “elegant/polished” (漂) with “bright/shining” (亮), you get a word that describes something that is not just attractive, but radiantly and impressively so. It's a beauty that is both graceful and eye-catching.

In Chinese culture, giving direct compliments is very common, and 漂亮 (piàoliang) is one of the most frequently used. Unlike in some Western cultures where a direct comment on appearance can sometimes be perceived as overly forward, calling a woman, her dress, or her new haircut “漂亮” is a standard and friendly gesture. The most significant cultural nuance to understand is the dual meaning of beauty and skill. The English word “beautiful” can describe a skillful action (e.g., “a beautiful shot” in basketball), and Chinese takes this concept even further. Using 漂亮 to praise a well-executed task—from a perfectly solved math problem to a clever business strategy—is extremely common. This reflects a cultural appreciation where aesthetics and competence are linked. A job “beautifully done” is not just effective; it's elegant and impressive in its execution. This contrasts with Western concepts where “effective” and “beautiful” are more often kept in separate domains.

This is the most direct and common usage. It's used for women, children, clothing, accessories, and other objects. It is the standard, everyday word for “pretty.”

When you see a beautiful park, a stunning mountain view, or a nicely decorated room, 漂亮 is the perfect word to use.

• Example: `这里的风景很漂亮。(Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng hěn piàoliang.)` - The scenery here is very beautiful.

This is a key usage that intermediate learners should master. When someone does something skillfully, impressively, or cleverly, you can exclaim “漂亮!” It carries the same feeling as “Brilliant!”, “Nicely done!”, or “Sweet!” in English.

• Contexts: Sports (a great goal), work (a successful presentation), life (a clever solution to a problem).

• Example 1:
  • 你今天很漂亮！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān hěn piàoliang!
  • English: You look very beautiful today!
  • Analysis: A standard, friendly compliment. The use of `很 (hěn)` is a grammatical softener for the adjective and doesn't necessarily mean “very.”
• Example 2:
  • 这件衣服真漂亮。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu zhēn piàoliang.
  • English: This piece of clothing is really pretty.
  • Analysis: Used to describe an object. `真 (zhēn)` adds emphasis, meaning “really” or “truly.”
• Example 3: (The “Well-Done” Meaning)
  • 这个球进得漂亮！
  • Pinyin: Zhège qiú jìn de piàoliang!
  • English: That was a beautiful goal! / What a great shot!
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of praising an action. It's not about the ball's appearance, but the skill of the shot. Note the use of the degree complement `得 (de)`.
• Example 4:
  • 她的字写得很漂亮。
  • Pinyin: Tā de zì xiě de hěn piàoliang.
  • English: Her handwriting is very beautiful.
  • Analysis: Here, 漂亮 describes the aesthetic quality of a skill (calligraphy/handwriting). Again, `得 (de)` is used to connect the verb `写 (xiě)` to the descriptive adjective.
• Example 5:
  • 你的新车很漂亮。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de xīn chē hěn piàoliang.
  • English: Your new car is very nice-looking.
  • Analysis: A common way to compliment a possession like a car, phone, or bag.
• Example 6:
  • 这个问题你回答得太漂亮了！
  • Pinyin: Zhège wèntí nǐ huídá de tài piàoliang le!
  • English: You answered that question brilliantly!
  • Analysis: Another example of praising a skill. It's used to compliment a well-phrased, intelligent, or effective answer. `太…了 (tài…le)` adds strong emphasis.
• Example 7:
  • 她是一个漂亮的女孩。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yí ge piàoliang de nǚhái.
  • English: She is a pretty girl.
  • Analysis: Using 漂亮 as a standard adjectival phrase with `的 (de)` before a noun.
• Example 8:
  • 我们把房间打扫得很漂亮。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bǎ fángjiān dǎsǎo de hěn piàoliang.
  • English: We cleaned the room up beautifully.
  • Analysis: This means the room not only became clean, but it looks great. It praises the result of the action.
• Example 9:
  • 他的履历很漂亮。
  • Pinyin: Tā de lǚlì hěn piàoliang.
  • English: His resume is very impressive.
  • Analysis: A metaphorical use. A “beautiful resume” is one that is strong, well-formatted, and full of impressive accomplishments.
• Example 10:
  • 这场翻身仗，我们打得真漂亮！
  • Pinyin: Zhè chǎng fānshēnzhàng, wǒmen dǎ de zhēn piàoliang!
  • English: We fought this turnaround battle really beautifully! / We made a brilliant comeback!
  • Analysis: Used in a business or competition context to praise a successful comeback or victory, highlighting the skill and strategy involved.

• Mistake 1: Using 漂亮 for Men.
  • Incorrect: `那个男人很漂亮。(Nàge nánrén hěn piàoliang.)`
  • Explanation: 漂亮 is primarily used for females, children, and inanimate objects. Using it to describe a grown man can imply he is effeminate. The correct word for a handsome man is 帅 (shuài).
  • Correct: `那个男人很帅。(Nàge nánrén hěn shuài.)` - That man is very handsome.
• Mistake 2: Missing the “Well-Done” Meaning.
  • English speakers often get confused when they hear “漂亮!” as a standalone exclamation after an action. They might wonder, “What's beautiful?”
  • Explanation: Remember it's a compliment on the *execution* of the action. It means “Brilliant!”, “Impressive!”, or “Nicely done!”. If your colleague gives a great presentation and the boss says `说得漂亮 (shuō de piàoliang)`, they are praising the speaking skill, not the person's physical appearance.

• 好看 (hǎokàn) - A very common synonym meaning “good-looking.” It's slightly more literal (“good to look at”) and can be used interchangeably with 漂亮 in many contexts for people and things.
• 美丽 (měilì) - A more formal, literary, or profound word for “beautiful.” Often used for art, nature, and inner beauty. Think “beautiful” vs. 漂亮's “pretty.”
• 帅 (shuài) - The direct equivalent of “handsome.” This is the go-to adjective for complimenting a man's appearance.
• 可爱 (kě'ài) - Means “cute,” “adorable,” or “lovely.” Used for babies, children, animals, and sometimes young women in a cute, endearing way.
• 精彩 (jīngcǎi) - Means “brilliant,” “splendid,” or “wonderful.” It's often used for performances, shows, speeches, and games. It strongly overlaps with the “well-done” meaning of 漂亮.
• 棒 (bàng) - A common, informal slang word for “awesome,” “great,” or “super.” It's a general term of praise for actions and results.
• 难看 (nánkàn) - The direct antonym, meaning “ugly” or “unattractive” (literally “difficult to look at”). It can also mean “embarrassing” or “disgraceful.”