Vietnamese is a rich and expressive language, and the word “beautiful” can be said in many different ways depending on the situation and who you’re talking to. Whether you’re complimenting a person, scenery, or something cute, knowing how to say it properly will help you sound natural and polite. In this guide, Jellyfish shows you exactly how to say beautiful in Vietnam, with cultural context and easy examples to use in real life.
1. The most common ways to say “Beautiful” in Vietnamese
Đẹp – [Pronounced: dep]
This is the general word for “beautiful” in Vietnamese. It can be used for people, things, places, and even ideas.
Examples:
- Cô ấy rất đẹp. → She is very beautiful.
- Phong cảnh ở đây đẹp quá! → The scenery here is so beautiful!
- Ngôi nhà này đẹp thật. → This house is really beautiful.
It’s short, flexible, and polite.
Xinh – [Pronounced: sinh]
This means “pretty” or “cute”, mostly used to describe young women, girls, or things that are charming.
Examples:
- Cô bé đó rất xinh. → That little girl is very cute.
- Bạn gái anh xinh quá. → Your girlfriend is so pretty.
You can also combine it with “đẹp” to say:
- Đẹp xinh → Very pretty and elegant
2. Complimenting people politely
If you’re wondering how to say beautiful in Vietnam when complimenting someone, tone and word choice matter.
- Em đẹp lắm. → You are so beautiful. (Used when talking to someone younger or in a romantic setting.)
- Chị rất xinh. → You are very pretty. (Used respectfully to an older girl or woman.)
- Bạn trông tuyệt lắm hôm nay. → You look amazing today. (Friendly, polite compliment.)
Cultural tip: Vietnamese people may smile or shy away from compliments. It’s best to keep your tone sincere and light!
3. Talking about beautiful places and things
For nature, buildings, or objects, đẹp is still your go-to word.
Examples:
- Cảnh hoàng hôn ở biển thật đẹp. → The sunset at the beach is so beautiful.
- Áo dài Việt Nam rất đẹp. → The Vietnamese áo dài is very beautiful.
- Đây là một bức tranh đẹp. → This is a beautiful painting.
If you want to add extra emotion, say:
- Đẹp quá! → So beautiful!
- Quá đẹp luôn! → Super beautiful! (Used in casual speech)
4. Cute and beautiful things (food, fashion, animals)
Sometimes, you want to describe something adorable or aesthetically pretty, like clothing, pets, or decoration.
In that case, you can use:
- Dễ thương → Cute, lovable
- Đáng yêu → Lovely, charming
- Xinh xắn → Neat and pretty
- Sang trọng → Elegant, luxurious
Examples:
- Chiếc váy này dễ thương quá. → This dress is so cute.
- Con mèo này đáng yêu ghê! → This cat is adorable!
- Căn phòng này rất sang trọng. → This room is very elegant.
5. Slang and informal ways to say “beautiful”
If you’re speaking with close friends or younger people, here are some trendy phrases:
- Xịn sò → Cool, fancy (used for style or design)
- Đỉnh của chóp → Top-tier, excellent
- Hết nước chấm → Perfect! (Literally: No sauce left — a fun slang compliment)
Example:
- Trang phục này hết nước chấm luôn! → This outfit is absolutely stunning!
6. Saying “beautiful” to men
While đẹp trai (handsome) is the standard, đẹp can still be used more generally in:
- Anh ấy rất đẹp. → He is very good-looking.
- Cười đẹp quá! → That smile is beautiful!
Note: For men, you can also say:
- Nam tính → Masculine
- Lịch lãm → Elegant/gentlemanly
- Phong độ → Stylish/charming
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how to say beautiful in Vietnam and when to use each word naturally. Whether you’re admiring a stunning landscape, complimenting someone’s outfit, or trying to flirt a little in Vietnamese, these expressions will help you sound both confident and culturally aware.
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