Different ways to say “pretty” or “beautiful, - Cchatty

Different ways to say “pretty” or “beautiful,” depending on the subject Hǎokàn 好看 means “good-looking” or “attractive.” It technically can only refer to people and animals but can be
used for clothing.

Piàoliang 漂亮 means “pretty” or “attractive” for women only and not men; it can also be used to describe animals as well as written characters.

Měilì 美丽 means “beautiful” and, like piàoliang 漂亮, can only refer to women and not men; it can, however, be used to describe the scenery.

“Pretty” or “beautiful” for paintings, scenery, music, etc. is simply měi 美, as in:

The scenery in Guilin is beautiful.
Guìlín de fēngjǐng hěn měi.
桂林的风景很美。

“Pretty” when referring to music is also hǎotīng 好听, of course, and not hǎokàn 好看, since you’re listening to it, not looking at it!