美丽

• Pinyin: měi lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 美 = 羊 (sheep) + 大 (big), meaning beautiful; 丽 = originally a pictograph of a deer with grand antlers, meaning splendid or elegant

Meaning

Beautiful; gorgeous; lovely. Describes striking visual beauty, often used for people, places, and natural scenery.

A more literary and elevated synonym for 漂亮. While 漂亮 is casual and everyday, 美丽 carries a more poetic and admiring tone. Most often used for women, scenery, and places. Less commonly used in casual daily speech than 漂亮, but very frequent in writing, songs, and formal descriptions. Can also modify abstract nouns like 故事 (story) or 梦想 (dream).

Examples

1. 她是一个美丽又善良的女孩。 She is a beautiful and kind-hearted girl.
2. 我们的城市变得越来越美丽了。 Our city is becoming more and more beautiful.
3. 那片美丽的湖水让人心情愉快。 That beautiful lake puts people in a happy mood.

Usage Guide

Context: appearance, scenery, literature

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 这个地方的风景非常美丽。(The scenery here is very beautiful.)
• 她有着美丽的笑容。(She has a beautiful smile.)

Don't Say

• 你的手机很美丽。(Don't use 美丽 for everyday objects like phones — it sounds overly poetic. Use 好看 or 漂亮 instead.)

Origin & History

美 means beautiful; 丽 originally depicted a deer with magnificent antlers, symbolising elegance and splendour. Together: beautiful and splendid.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal