Learning how to give compliments in French can improve your ability to connect with people in French-speaking cultures. Compliments are more than just nice words; they are a key part of social manners, showing respect and appreciation. When you compliment someone, you help bridge cultural differences and build a friendly connection. Knowing the right words and the right time to use them is essential.
55 Ways to Say Beautiful in French
To discuss beauty in French, start by learning keywords and phrases. The most common terms are ‘beau’ for masculine objects and ‘belle’ for feminine ones. If you’re talking about more than one thing, use ‘beaux’ or ‘belles’. These words mean more than just beauty; they also suggest pleasantness and a good fit.
| No. | French | English Translation |
| 1 | Beau | Beautiful (masculine) |
| 2 | Belle | Beautiful (feminine) |
| 3 | Magnifique | Magnificent |
| 4 | Joli | Pretty (masculine) |
| 5 | Jolie | Pretty (feminine) |
| 6 | Ravissant | Delightful |
| 7 | Éblouissant | Dazzling |
| 8 | Splendide | Splendid |
| 9 | Sublime | Sublime |
| 10 | Superbe | Superb |
| 11 | Charmant | Charming (masculine) |
| 12 | Charmante | Charming (feminine) |
| 13 | Séduisant | Attractive (masculine) |
| 14 | Séduisante | Attractive (feminine) |
| 15 | Merveilleux | Wonderful (masculine) |
| 16 | Merveilleuse | Wonderful (feminine) |
| 17 | Adorable | Adorable |
| 18 | Éclatant | Radiant |
| 19 | Gracieux | Graceful (masculine) |
| 20 | Gracieuse | Graceful (feminine) |
| 21 | Fascinant | Fascinating (masculine) |
| 22 | Fascinante | Fascinating (feminine) |
| 23 | Parfait | Perfect (masculine) |
| 24 | Parfaite | Perfect (feminine) |
| 25 | Élégant | Elegant (masculine) |
| 26 | Élégante | Elegant (feminine) |
| 27 | Attrayant | Attractive (masculine) |
| 28 | Attrayante | Attractive (feminine) |
| 29 | Angélique | Angelic |
| 30 | Divin | Divine (masculine) |
| 31 | Divine | Divine (feminine) |
| 32 | Radieux | Radiant (masculine) |
| 33 | Radieuse | Radiant (feminine) |
| 34 | Envoûtant | Enchanting (masculine) |
| 35 | Envoûtante | Enchanting (feminine) |
| 36 | Époustouflant | Breathtaking (masculine) |
| 37 | Époustouflante | Breathtaking (feminine) |
| 38 | Incroyable | Incredible |
| 39 | Divinement beau | Divinely beautiful (masculine) |
| 40 | Divinement belle | Divinely beautiful (feminine) |
| 41 | Formidable | Tremendous |
| 42 | Ravissant | Ravishing (masculine) |
| 43 | Ravissante | Ravishing (feminine) |
| 44 | Enchanteur | Enchanting (masculine) |
| 45 | Enchanteresse | Enchanting (feminine) |
| 46 | Alléchant | Tempting (masculine) |
| 47 | Alléchante | Tempting (feminine) |
| 48 | Délicieux | Delightful (masculine) |
| 49 | Délicieuse | Delightful (feminine) |
| 50 | Enivrant | Intoxicating (masculine) |
| 51 | Enivrante | Intoxicating (feminine) |
| 52 | Féérique | Fairy-like |
| 53 | Féérique | Fantastical |
| 54 | Lumineux | Luminous (masculine) |
| 55 | Lumineuse | Luminous (feminine) |
How to Give Compliments in French
Giving compliments in French is an excellent way to show you appreciate someone. This could be about their look, work, or personality. Make sure to pick the right words and sound sincere so they take the compliment well.
Complimenting someone’s appearance
When you compliment someone’s appearance in French, choosing the right words is essential. The form of the word changes based on whether you’re talking to a man or a woman. For example, you’d say ‘Tu es beau’ to a man, which means ‘You are handsome.’ For a woman, it’s ‘Tu es belle,’ meaning ‘You are beautiful.’
If you want to say someone is pretty or cute, you can use ‘joli’ for a man or ‘jolie’ for a woman. This is often used for children or something delicate but also compliments someone’s outfit or looks.
Complimenting someone’s work or achievements
When praising someone’s work or achievements in French, focus on their professional or academic qualities. For example, you can say, “Bravo for your remarkable work” or “Congratulations on your achievements.” It’s also good to point out specific qualities like creativity or dedication. For instance, you might say, “I’m impressed by your creativity” or “Your dedication is truly admirable.”
These phrases show your appreciation and encourage them to keep up the good work.
Responding to compliments
Responding well to compliments is key in French social settings. When someone compliments you, keep your reply simple and modest. You can just say ‘Thank you’ or ‘Merci.’ To show you appreciate the compliment and the person, you might add, ‘That’s very kind of you,’ or ‘C’est très gentil de ta part.’ If you want to compliment them subtly, you could say, ‘That’s very kind, thank you. I like your [e.g., style, work] too,’ or ‘C’est très gentil, merci. J’aime beaucoup ton [e.g., style, travail] aussi.’
Conclusion
Learning to give compliments in French can improve your personal and professional life. Genuine compliments build good relationships and strengthen bonds. It’s important to use French adjectives correctly, paying attention to their gender and number, so your compliments are clear and well-received. Whether you’re praising someone’s looks, achievements, or character, using the right words shows you respect and admire them.
