měilì: 美丽 - Beautiful, Pretty

• Keywords: meili, mei li, 美丽, beautiful in Chinese, how to say pretty in Chinese, Chinese word for beautiful, měilì meaning, piàoliang vs měilì, Chinese adjectives
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 美丽 (měilì), the quintessential Chinese word for “beautiful.” This comprehensive guide explores its use in describing people, magnificent landscapes, and profound art. Learn the cultural difference between `美丽 (měilì)`, `漂亮 (piàoliang)`, and `好看 (hǎokàn)` to speak more naturally and appreciate the deep connection between beauty and inner grace in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): měilì
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: Describing something as aesthetically pleasing, beautiful, or pretty.
• In a Nutshell: `美丽` is the classic and slightly formal word for “beautiful” in Chinese. While it can describe a person's appearance, it's often used for things with a grander, more profound, or elegant quality, like stunning scenery, a work of art, or a person's spirit. Think of it as closer to “beautiful” or “lovely” rather than just “pretty.” It carries a sense of sincerity and depth.

• 美 (měi): This character is a combination of 羊 (yáng), meaning “sheep,” on top of 大 (dà), meaning “big.” In ancient China, a big, fat sheep was a symbol of prosperity, sustenance, and good fortune. It was considered a pleasing and “beautiful” thing. Therefore, 美 has come to mean beautiful, good, and pleasing.
• 丽 (lì): The traditional form of this character (麗) was a pictogram of a deer with a pair of magnificent, symmetrical horns, symbolizing grace, elegance, and beauty. The simplified character retains this meaning of “pretty” or “gorgeous.”
• How they combine: Putting 美 (pleasing beauty) and 丽 (graceful elegance) together creates `美丽`, a powerful and comprehensive term. It describes a beauty that is not only visually appealing but also possesses a sense of grace, depth, and harmony.

In Chinese culture, `美丽` is often connected to concepts of harmony, nature, and inner virtue. While Western culture might sometimes separate physical beauty from character, `美丽` can bridge that gap. A person who is kind, graceful, and virtuous can be described as having a `美丽的心灵 (měilì de xīnlíng)`—a beautiful soul. This is a very high compliment. Comparison to Western “Beautiful”: The English word “beautiful” is very flexible. We can say a person is beautiful, a car is beautiful, or an idea is beautiful. `美丽` is similar but leans more towards the artistic, natural, and spiritual. You would absolutely describe a mountain range, a classic poem, or a woman with elegant charm as `美丽`. However, for a cool gadget or a stylish but trendy outfit, the more colloquial term `好看 (hǎokàn)` (good-looking) might be more appropriate. The key difference is that `美丽` often implies a timeless, soul-stirring quality, whereas Western usage of “beautiful” can sometimes be more casual. Praising something as `美丽` feels more sincere and less superficial than calling it “hot” or even just “pretty.”

`美丽` is a standard and widely understood term, but its usage has specific connotations.

• Formal Praise: It is often used in writing, formal speeches, songs, and poetry. When spoken, it carries a weight of sincerity. You would use it to give a genuine, heartfelt compliment.
• Scenery and Art: This is one of its most common uses. Describing lakes, mountains, forests, sunrises, or a piece of calligraphy as `美丽` is perfectly natural.
• People: It's used to describe people, typically women, but implies more than just physical attractiveness. It suggests elegance, grace, and an overall pleasing presence. Calling a woman `美丽` is a deeper compliment than `漂亮 (piàoliang)`.
• Abstract Concepts: You can describe memories, dreams, or life itself as `美丽`. For example, `美丽的梦想 (měilì de mèngxiǎng)` means “a beautiful dream.”

• Example 1:
  • 这里的风景真是太美丽了！
  • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng zhēnshi tài měilì le!
  • English: The scenery here is truly so beautiful!
  • Analysis: A classic and very common use of `美丽` to describe a landscape. The structure `太…了 (tài…le)` is used for emphasis.
• Example 2:
  • 她不仅外表美丽，心灵更美。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùjǐn wàibiǎo měilì, xīnlíng gèng měi.
  • English: Not only is her appearance beautiful, but her soul is even more beautiful.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the cultural depth of `美丽`, connecting external appearance with inner virtue (`心灵`, soul/heart).
• Example 3:
  • 这是一首非常美丽的诗。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yī shǒu fēicháng měilì de shī.
  • English: This is a very beautiful poem.
  • Analysis: `美丽` is ideal for describing art forms like poetry, music, or painting that evoke a deep aesthetic feeling.
• Example 4:
  • 每个女孩都希望有一个美丽的婚礼。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge nǚhái dōu xīwàng yǒu yī ge měilì de hūnlǐ.
  • English: Every girl hopes to have a beautiful wedding.
  • Analysis: Here, `美丽` describes an event, implying it should be elegant, memorable, and aesthetically pleasing.
• Example 5:
  • 她的眼睛像美丽的星星。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yǎnjīng xiàng měilì de xīngxīng.
  • English: Her eyes are like beautiful stars.
  • Analysis: A slightly poetic or romantic use of the word. `像 (xiàng)` means “like” or “resembles.”
• Example 6:
  • 我们要保护我们美丽的地球。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yào bǎohù wǒmen měilì de dìqiú.
  • English: We must protect our beautiful Earth.
  • Analysis: Used in a formal or public service context, `美丽` elevates the subject (the Earth) and gives the sentence an emotional weight.
• Example 7:
  • 这是一个关于爱与勇气的美丽故事。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yī ge guānyú ài yǔ yǒngqì de měilì gùshì.
  • English: This is a beautiful story about love and courage.
  • Analysis: Shows how `美丽` can describe an abstract concept like a story, referring to its emotional and moral quality.
• Example 8:
  • 你觉得这幅画美丽吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde zhè fú huà měilì ma?
  • English: Do you think this painting is beautiful?
  • Analysis: A simple question using `美丽`. `幅 (fú)` is the measure word for paintings.
• Example 9:
  • 美丽的误会有时候也会有好的结果。
  • Pinyin: Měilì de wùhuì yǒu shíhòu yě huì yǒu hǎo de jiéguǒ.
  • English: A “beautiful” misunderstanding can sometimes also have a good outcome.
  • Analysis: A metaphorical use. “Beautiful misunderstanding” is an oxymoron that implies a mistake that led to something unexpectedly wonderful.
• Example 10:
  • 桂林山水甲天下，真是名不虚传的美丽。
  • Pinyin: Guìlín shānshuǐ jiǎ tiānxià, zhēnshi míng bù xū chuán de měilì.
  • English: Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven; it is truly as beautiful as its reputation suggests.
  • Analysis: Using `美丽` to confirm a famous reputation. `名不虚传 (míng bù xū chuán)` is a chengyu (idiom) meaning “to live up to one's reputation.”

The most common point of confusion for learners is choosing between `美丽 (měilì)`, `漂亮 (piàoliang)`, and `好看 (hǎokàn)`.

• `美丽 (měilì)`: Deep, elegant, profound beauty. Best for scenery, art, and sincere compliments about a person's overall grace or soul. More formal and literary.
• `漂亮 (piàoliang)`: The most common word for “pretty” or “beautiful,” especially for people (women), clothes, cars, or even a job well done (`干得漂亮!`). It's more focused on external appearance than `美丽`.
• `好看 (hǎokàn)`: Literally “good to look at.” The most casual and versatile. Use it for people, movies, books, clothes, etc. It's the safe, everyday choice.

Common Mistake Example:

• Incorrect: 这件T恤很美丽。 (Zhè jiàn T-xù hěn měilì.)
• Why it's awkward: `美丽` is too grand and poetic for a simple T-shirt. It sounds overly dramatic, like calling a plain hamburger “exquisite cuisine.”
• Correct: 这件T恤很好看。 (Zhè jiàn T-xù hěn hǎokàn.) - This T-shirt is nice-looking.
• Also Correct: 这件T恤很漂亮。 (Zhè jiàn T-xù hěn piàoliang.) - This T-shirt is pretty.

Essentially, don't use a powerful word like `美丽` for something mundane. Save it for things that truly inspire awe and a sense of deep, aesthetic pleasure.

• 漂亮 (piàoliang) - The most common synonym for “pretty” or “beautiful,” often used for a person's physical appearance.
• 好看 (hǎokàn) - A colloquial and versatile synonym meaning “good-looking” or “nice to watch/read.”
• 优美 (yōuměi) - More specific than `美丽`, meaning “graceful” or “exquisite.” Often used for dance, music, posture, or a gentle landscape.
• 壮丽 (zhuànglì) - Describes a beauty that is “magnificent,” “majestic,” or “grandiose,” perfect for vast landscapes like the Grand Canyon or the ocean.
• 美貌 (měimào) - A noun meaning “(a person's) beautiful looks” or “good looks.” It refers specifically to facial beauty.
• 美德 (měidé) - “Virtue” or “moral excellence.” Shares the character `美`, linking the concept of “goodness” with “beauty.”
• 丑陋 (chǒulòu) - A formal antonym meaning “ugly,” often with a moral connotation of being vile or shameful.
• 难看 (nánkàn) - The direct antonym of `好看`, meaning “ugly” or “unpleasant to look at.”