Nǐ jīntiān qìsè zhēn hǎo.
You look really well today.
Safe with anyone
Safe in almost any company, including with elders and in laws. It compliments health rather than looks, which keeps it respectable.
REAL SPOKEN CHINESE
How do you compliment someone in Chinese without sounding fake?
Name one specific thing and stop there. A compliment that sounds real in Chinese points at a detail: a dish someone cooked, a colour that suits them, a skill you just noticed. Broad praise like you are amazing reads as flattery, so keep it small, say it once, and let it land.
Nín kànzhe zhēn niánqīng.
You look so young.
Safe with anyone
The classic compliment to anyone older than you. Nin with the respectful n is what makes it land as courtesy instead of flattery.
Nín zhège zuò de zhēn zhuānyè.
This is really professionally done.
Safe with anyone
Praise the work, not the person. Pointing at one specific thing they made is what separates this from empty compliments.
Zhè yīfu zhēn chèn nǐ.
That outfit really suits you.
Friends and coworkers
Chen means it brings out your good side, so the compliment lands on the person even though it names the clothes.
Nǐ shǒuyì jué le.
Your cooking is incredible.
Friends and coworkers
Said over someone's cooking or handiwork. Jue is the strongest everyday praise word, so save it for when you actually mean it.
Kànbuchūlai a, nǐ hái yǒu zhè yì shǒu.
Didn't see that coming, you have this trick too.
Friends and coworkers
Praise disguised as surprise. Admitting you underestimated them flatters twice, once for the skill and once for the hidden depth.
Nǐ zhè rén zhēn shízai.
You are a genuinely down to earth person.
Friends and coworkers
A character compliment, the kind people repeat to others. Prizing honesty over cleverness is a very Chinese flavour of praise.
Kěyǐ a nǐ!
Not bad at all, you!
Close friends only
The flipped word order is what makes it playful. Between friends this lukewarm wording with a grin means genuine admiration.
Niú a!
That is awesome!
Close friends only
One syllable of pure respect. Too slangy for your teacher or your boss, perfect when a friend pulls off something impressive.
What the labels mean
- Safe with anyone
- Fine at work, fine with your partner's parents.
- Friends and coworkers
- Normal among people your own age. Skip it with elders, clients and officials.
- Close friends only
- Carries a swear or an insult. Only with people who would swear back.
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