Compliments are the secret ingredient of good communication. With just a few easy Chinese words, you can express genuine appreciation and make people feel great.
Here are some simple and useful ways to say something nice in Chinese — learn them and you’ll sound warm and natural right away!
Compliment 1: 好看 (hǎo kàn)
Meaning: good-looking, beautiful (used for both people and things)
Example:
“你今天真好看！”
Nǐ jīntiān zhēn hǎokàn!
Translation: You look really beautiful today!
Compliment 2: 帅 (shuài)
Meaning: handsome (mainly used for men)
Example:
“你这张照片很帅！”
Nǐ zhè zhāng zhàopiàn hěn shuài!
Translation: This photo of you looks great!
Compliment 3: 漂亮 (piào liang)
Meaning: pretty, beautiful (used for people or objects)
Example:
“你的新发型很漂亮。”
Nǐ de xīn fàxíng hěn piàoliang.
Translation: Your new hairstyle is really beautiful.
Compliment 4: 棒 (bàng)
Meaning: great, awesome
Example:
“你真棒！”
Nǐ zhēn bàng!
Translation: You are amazing!
Compliment 5: 厉害 (lì hài)
Meaning: impressive, amazing, skilled
Example:
“你会说三种语言，好厉害！”
Nǐ huì shuō sān zhǒng yǔyán, hǎo lìhài!
Translation: You can speak three languages — that’s awesome!
Compliment 6: 聪明 (cōng ming)
Meaning: smart, clever
Example:
“这个方法很聪明！”
Zhège fāngfǎ hěn cōngming!
Translation: This method is really smart!
Compliment 7: 可爱 (kě ài)
Meaning: cute, lovable
Example:
“你的孩子很可爱。”
Nǐ de háizi hěn kě’ài.
Translation: Your child is so cute.
Compliment 8: 好吃 (hǎo chī)
Meaning: delicious
Example:
“你做的蛋糕真好吃！”
Nǐ zuò de dàngāo zhēn hǎochī!
Translation: The cake you made is really delicious!
Compliment 9: 好听 (hǎo tīng)
Meaning: pleasant to hear (used for songs, voices, etc.)
Example:
“你唱的歌真好听。”
Nǐ chàng de gē zhēn hǎotīng.
Translation: The song you sang sounds wonderful.
Compliment 10: 好人 (hǎo rén)
Meaning: a good person, a kind person
Example:
“你真是个好人！”
Nǐ zhēn shì gè hǎo rén!
Translation: You’re such a kind person!
💡 Practical Tips
- Add “真 (zhēn)” or “很 (hěn)” in front of your compliment to make it sound more natural and heartfelt:
- 真 + 好 = 真好 (really good)
- 很 + 棒 = 很棒 (very great)
Just like in English, a little enthusiasm makes your compliment sound warmer and more genuine!
Join us to discover more fun and practical Chinese expressions you can use in real life. Let’s make your Chinese sound natural and full of charm!
