How To Say Beautiful In Italian? 50+ Best Ways!

So, you wanna know how to say beautiful in Italian? I know exactly what you're going through! My partner's this amazing polyglot, and I thought, "Why not surprise her with some Italian compliments?" Spoiler alert: it worked like a charm and made her feel good about herself!

Even science says that a sincere, genuine compliment gives the same positive boost as receiving a cash reward. Imagine that - you could literally make someone's day as if you've handed them money, just by learning a few Italian words!

So whether you're trying to wow someone special or just want to sound cool on your next Italian getaway, this article is for you! Stick around, and I'll spill all the juicy details on how to say beautiful in Italian- and maybe throw in a few extra compliments for good measure.

What is Beautiful in Italian

Let's be real...Italians are all about beauty. It's not just in their art and architecture - it's in their everyday life. They use words for "beautiful" left and right, whether they're talking about a stunning view, a delicious meal, or a stylish outfit. So learning these words isn't just about compliments - it's about speaking the language of Italian culture.

Now, let's break down the main ways to say "beautiful" in Italian:

Bello (Beautiful)

"Bello" is an adjective in Italian, meaning "beautiful" or "handsome". As an adjective, it describes nouns and agrees with them in gender and number. This is a key concept in Italian grammar that might be new to English speakers.

What Does It Mean?

• Primarily, bello describes something (or someone) that is pleasing to the eye—beautiful, handsome, lovely.
• It can also carry a sense of admiration or value when placed before the noun, akin to “great” or “wonderful” (e.g., “un bel viaggio” can mean “a great trip”)

In Italian, adjectives change their ending based on whether the noun they're describing is:

• Masculine or feminine
• Singular or plural

Here's a table to help you understand how "bello" changes:

Italian adjectives must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the nouns they describe. Bello is a bit irregular, especially when placed before the noun, because it follows patterns similar to the definite articles.

After the noun (regular agreement):

• Masculine singular: bello
• Masculine plural: belli
• Feminine singular: bella
• Feminine plural: belle

Before the noun (article-like forms):

• Masculine singular before consonants: bel (e.g., bel libro)
• Masculine singular before special consonants or s+consonant: bello (e.g., bello studente)
• Masculine singular before vowels: bell’ (e.g., bell’amico)
• Masculine plural before consonants: bei (e.g., bei libri)
• Masculine plural before vowels or special consonants: begli (e.g., begli amici)
• Feminine singular before consonants: bella
• Feminine singular before vowels: bell’ (e.g., bell’idea)
• Feminine plural: belle

Quick Reference Table:

Ready to use this word? Here are some example sentences:

• Il cielo è bello oggi. - The sky is beautiful today.
• Ho visto un bel film ieri sera. - I saw a beautiful movie last night.
• Che bella giornata! - What a beautiful day!
• I fiori in giardino sono belli. - The flowers in the garden are beautiful.
• Le ragazze indossano delle belle scarpe. - The girls are wearing beautiful shoes.

Sidenote: Ciao bella means "Hello, beautiful!" You might've heard it in Italian movies as a cheesy pickup line, but don't try that in real life - it's actually considered rude! These days, this is mostly used as a warm greeting between friends, especially women.

In Italian, the word bello is the go‑to adjective meaning “beautiful” (or “handsome”) and is widely used in both speech and writing. Its importance in everyday Italian reflects the culture’s deep appreciation for aesthetics.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three illustrative examples using different forms:

• Dopo (after) the noun:
  I tramonti sul mare sono belli.
  (The sunsets over the sea are beautiful.)
• **Prima (before) the noun, masculine, consonant:**
  Ho un bel cane.
  (I have a beautiful dog.)
• **Before the noun, feminine, vowel:**
  *Che **bell’*idea!
  (What a great idea!)

Negating “Beautiful” — Using Non + bello

To express “not beautiful,” simply place non before the adjective:

• Example:
  Questa casa non è bella.
  (This house is not beautiful.)

The negative non precedes the verb + adjective combination. No changes are made to “bello” itself—only placement of “non” alters the meaning.

Bellissimo (Very beautiful)

"Bellissimo" is the superlative form of "bello". It's used when you want to emphasize that something is extremely or very beautiful. Think of it as the equivalent of "gorgeous" or "stunning" in English.

Like "bello", "bellissimo" changes to agree with the noun it's describing:

"Bellissimo" is more emphatic than "bello". Use it when you want to express that something is extremely beautiful or impressive. It's like stepping up from "beautiful" to "gorgeous" or "stunning" in English.

Want to use this word? Then check out these sentences:

• Il tramonto sul mare è bellissimo. - The sunset over the sea is gorgeous.
• Hai una voce bellissima! - You have a stunning voice!
• I paesaggi toscani sono bellissimi. - Tuscan landscapes are extremely beautiful.
• Che vestito bellissimo indossi! - What a gorgeous dress you're wearing!
• Le Alpi sono bellissime in inverno. - The Alps are breathtaking in winter.

Molto bello (Very beautiful)

"Molto bello" is another way to say "very beautiful". It's a bit more straightforward grammatically because only "bello" changes, while "molto" (meaning "very") stays the same.

"Molto bello" is a more straightforward way to say "very beautiful". It's a combination of "molto" (very) and "bello" (beautiful). Only "bello" changes to match the gender and number of the noun, while "molto" always stays the same.

Ready to see these words in action? Read these examples:

• Il concerto di ieri sera è stato molto bello. - Last night's concert was very beautiful.
• La tua nuova casa è molto bella. - Your new house is very beautiful.
• I quadri di questo museo sono molto belli. - The paintings in this museum are very beautiful.
• Ho letto un libro molto bello recentemente. - I recently read a very beautiful book.
• Le spiagge di questa isola sono molto belle. - The beaches on this island are very beautiful.

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Other Ways to Say Beautiful in Italian

Before we dive into more Italian words for "beautiful," let's quickly cover a basic sentence structure you can use with any of these compliments. The structure is simple: [Subject] + è + [adjective]. For example:

• Il tramonto è stupendo. (The sunset is stunning.)
• La città è incantevole. (The city is enchanting.)
• Tu sei affascinante. (You are fascinating/charming.)

You can easily swap in different subjects and adjectives using this structure. Now, let's explore some other ways to express beauty in Italian:

Remember, adjectives ending in -o/a change to match the gender of the noun (use -o for masculine, -a for feminine). Adjectives ending in -e (like "incantevole" and "affascinante") stay the same for both genders.

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Complimenting Someone In Italian

Italians are known for their warmth and expressiveness, and compliments are an essential part of their social fabric. However, please remember not to go overboard especially if you're speaking to a total stranger! If you don't want to say someone if beautiful in Italian, you can use the ones I rounded up below!

Italian Compliments on Appearance

Italians take pride in their appearance, and complimenting someone's looks is common and appreciated when done respectfully.

Italian Compliments on Personality or Character

Praising someone's personality or character traits is a wonderful way to show appreciation in Italian culture.

Italian Compliments on Skills or Achievements

Recognizing someone's talents or accomplishments is a great way to build confidence and show respect.

General Expressions of Admiration In Italian

These Italian phrases can be used to express general admiration or appreciation in various situations.

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Responding To Compliments In Italian

In Italian culture, graciously accepting compliments is just as important as giving them. While modesty is appreciated, it's also customary to acknowledge the compliment warmly. Here are some ways to respond to compliments in Italian, ranging from simple acknowledgments to more elaborate responses.

Remember, the most important thing is to be sincere in your response. Italians value authenticity in social conversations, so a heartfelt "grazie" can go a long way in building positive relationships.

Learn Italian With Lingopie

So there you have it - your crash course in Italian compliments and beauty-related phrases. Whether you're admiring art in Florence or chatting with locals in a Roman café, these expressions will help you navigate social situations with more confidence.

Just remember, it's not about perfection, but about making genuine connections. Even if you stumble over pronunciation, your effort to speak the local language will often be met with appreciation.

For those of you wanting to dive deeper, check out Lingopie's features.

It's a language-learning platform that uses Italian TV shows and movies as teaching tools. You'll hear these phrases used in real-life contexts, which is invaluable for understanding the nuances of when and how to use them. It's a practical way to build your Italian skills while also getting a taste of contemporary Italian culture.

Give it a shot if you're serious about improving your Italian beyond just memorizing phrases.

FAQ: How to Say "Beautiful" in Italian

What is Italian for beautiful?

Bello means "beautiful" in Italian. It is used for masculine singular nouns, while bella is used for feminine singular nouns. The plural forms are belli (masculine) and belle (feminine).

How beautiful in Italian

Bello translates to "beautiful" in Italian. It can describe something or someone that is pleasing to the eye, and it agrees with the gender and number of the noun it describes. For example:

• Il cielo è bello. (The sky is beautiful.)
• La casa è bella. (The house is beautiful.)

How do you say pretty in Italian

Carino means "pretty" or "cute" in Italian. It is used for masculine nouns, while carina is used for feminine nouns. The plural forms are carini (masculine) and carine (feminine).
For example:

• Quella ragazza è carina. (That girl is pretty.)
• Hai un cane carino. (You have a cute dog.)