How to Say Beautiful in German
Learn how to say beautiful in German. 'Schön' is the core word, but German has many ways to express beauty. Pronunciation guide + how to compliment someone in German.
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Quick answer
The German word for beautiful is 'schön' (shurn). It's one of the most common and versatile German adjectives — used for people, places, art, weather, music, and experiences. 'Wunderschön' (VOON-der-shurn) means 'wonderfully beautiful' — more emphatic. To tell someone 'you are beautiful' say 'Du bist schön' (informal) or 'Sie sind schön' (formal).
Schön
/shurn/ — German
How to Say Beautiful in German
Schön is one of the hardest German words to pronounce — and one of the most rewarding. Its umlaut vowel (ö) doesn’t exist in English, which makes mastering it a genuine milestone.
The Word
Schön — pronounced shurn
Copy the Phrase
The German word for “beautiful” is schön (shurn).
Pronouncing the Ö Umlaut
The ö umlaut is the key challenge. It’s not in English — but it can be learned:
Method:
- Round your lips as if to say “o” (like “oh”)
- While keeping lips rounded, try to say “e” (like “see”)
- Hold that tension — the vowel in between is ö
It sounds like the “u” in “burn,” the “er” in British “her,” or the French “eu” in “feu.” Once you hear it, it’s unmistakable.
Full pronunciation of schön: ‘Sch’ (sh) + ‘ö’ (like burn’s ‘u’) + ‘n’ = shurn
Beautiful in German: From Common to Emphatic
| German | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| schön | shurn | Beautiful, nice, pretty |
| hübsch | hüpsh | Pretty, cute |
| wunderschön | VOON-der-shurn | Wonderfully beautiful |
| herrlich | HAIR-likh | Magnificent, marvelous |
| bezaubernd | buh-TSOW-bernt | Enchanting, bewitching |
| hinreißend | HIN-rye-send | Ravishing, captivating |
| atemberaubend | AH-tem-ber-ow-bent | Breathtaking (literally: breath-robbing) |
| prächtig | PRAKH-tikh | Splendid, magnificent |
| traumhaft | TROWM-hahft | Dreamlike, dreamy |
Complimenting Someone in German
| German | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Du bist schön | doo bist shurn | You are beautiful (informal) |
| Du bist wunderschön | …VOON-der-shurn | You are wonderfully beautiful |
| Du siehst toll aus | doo zeest tol ows | You look great |
| Du siehst gut aus | doo zeest goot ows | You look good |
| Du siehst heute schön aus | …HOY-tuh… | You look beautiful today |
| Das steht dir gut | das shtayt deer goot | That suits you well |
Schön: More Than Just Beautiful
Schön is one of German’s most versatile adjectives — it extends far beyond physical beauty:
- Schönes Wetter — nice weather
- Eine schöne Aussicht — a beautiful view
- Das war sehr schön — that was very lovely/nice
- Einen schönen Tag! — Have a nice day!
- Schön, Sie kennenzulernen — Nice to meet you (formal)
- Na schön — Well, alright then (with resignation)
- Alles schön und gut, aber… — That’s all well and good, but…
Describing Beautiful Things
| Object | German Phrase |
|---|---|
| Person | Du bist schön / wunderschön |
| Sunset | Ein wunderschöner Sonnenuntergang |
| Landscape | Eine herrliche Landschaft |
| Music | Wunderbare Musik |
| Art | Ein bezauberndes Gemälde |
| City | Eine traumhafte Stadt |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce schön?
'Schön' is pronounced 'shurn' — one syllable. 'Sch' = 'sh' (like 'shoe'); 'ö' is the umlaut vowel — round your lips to say 'o' but try to say 'e' — the result sounds like the 'u' in 'burn' or 'er' in British English. The 'n' is nasal. So: 'sh' + 'ö' (like 'urn') + 'n' = shurn. It rhymes with 'burn' with an 'sh' at the start.
What is the difference between schön and wunderschön?
'Schön' = beautiful, nice, pretty — the standard word. 'Wunderschön' (wunder = wonder/wonderful + schön = beautiful) = wonderfully beautiful, stunningly beautiful — more emphatic and enthusiastic. It's the difference between 'beautiful' and 'gorgeous' or 'breathtaking.' Germans use 'wunderschön' freely; it's not reserved for only the most exceptional things.
How do you say 'you are beautiful' in German?
'Du bist schön' (doo bist shurn) = you are beautiful (informal, to someone you know). 'Sie sind schön' (zee zint shurn) = you are beautiful (formal — rarely used as a compliment to a stranger; can sound forward). 'Du bist wunderschön' = you are wonderfully beautiful. 'Du siehst toll aus' (doo zeest tol ows) = you look great (more casual compliment).
Does schön mean anything besides beautiful?
Yes — 'schön' is extremely versatile. 'Schön' can mean: beautiful, nice, pleasant, fine, good. 'Schönes Wetter' = nice weather. 'Einen schönen Tag!' = Have a nice day! 'Das war schön' = That was nice/lovely. 'Schön und gut' = 'that's all well and good' (conceding a point). 'Na schön' = Well, okay / Alright then (resignation). 'Schön' can be positive, neutral, or even slightly ironic depending on tone.
What are some other German words for beautiful?
Beyond schön: 'hübsch' (HÜPSH) = pretty, cute (often for people); 'attraktiv' (at-rak-TEEF) = attractive; 'hinreißend' (HIN-rye-send) = ravishing, captivating; 'bezaubernd' (buh-TSOW-bernt) = enchanting; 'toll' (tol) = great, fantastic (very casual); 'wunderschön' (VOON-der-shurn) = wonderfully beautiful; 'herrlich' (HAIR-likh) = magnificent, marvelous; 'prächtig' (PRAKH-tikh) = splendid.