====== měilì: 美丽 - Beautiful, Pretty ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** meili, mei li, 美丽, beautiful in Chinese, how to say pretty in Chinese, Chinese word for beautiful, měilì meaning, piàoliang vs měilì, Chinese adjectives
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **美丽 (měilì)**, the quintessential Chinese word for "beautiful." This comprehensive guide explores its use in describing people, magnificent landscapes, and profound art. Learn the cultural difference between `美丽 (měilì)`, `漂亮 (piàoliang)`, and `好看 (hǎokàn)` to speak more naturally and appreciate the deep connection between beauty and inner grace in Chinese culture.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** měilì
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3
  * **Concise Definition:** Describing something as aesthetically pleasing, beautiful, or pretty.
  * **In a Nutshell:** `美丽` is the classic and slightly formal word for "beautiful" in Chinese. While it can describe a person's appearance, it's often used for things with a grander, more profound, or elegant quality, like stunning scenery, a work of art, or a person's spirit. Think of it as closer to "beautiful" or "lovely" rather than just "pretty." It carries a sense of sincerity and depth.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **美 (měi):** This character is a combination of **羊 (yáng)**, meaning "sheep," on top of **大 (dà)**, meaning "big." In ancient China, a big, fat sheep was a symbol of prosperity, sustenance, and good fortune. It was considered a pleasing and "beautiful" thing. Therefore, 美 has come to mean beautiful, good, and pleasing.
  * **丽 (lì):** The traditional form of this character (麗) was a pictogram of a deer with a pair of magnificent, symmetrical horns, symbolizing grace, elegance, and beauty. The simplified character retains this meaning of "pretty" or "gorgeous."
  * **How they combine:** Putting 美 (pleasing beauty) and 丽 (graceful elegance) together creates `美丽`, a powerful and comprehensive term. It describes a beauty that is not only visually appealing but also possesses a sense of grace, depth, and harmony.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, `美丽` is often connected to concepts of harmony, nature, and inner virtue. While Western culture might sometimes separate physical beauty from character, `美丽` can bridge that gap. A person who is kind, graceful, and virtuous can be described as having a `美丽的心灵 (měilì de xīnlíng)`—a beautiful soul. This is a very high compliment.
**Comparison to Western "Beautiful":**
The English word "beautiful" is very flexible. We can say a person is beautiful, a car is beautiful, or an idea is beautiful. `美丽` is similar but leans more towards the artistic, natural, and spiritual. You would absolutely describe a mountain range, a classic poem, or a woman with elegant charm as `美丽`. However, for a cool gadget or a stylish but trendy outfit, the more colloquial term `好看 (hǎokàn)` (good-looking) might be more appropriate.
The key difference is that `美丽` often implies a timeless, soul-stirring quality, whereas Western usage of "beautiful" can sometimes be more casual. Praising something as `美丽` feels more sincere and less superficial than calling it "hot" or even just "pretty."
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
`美丽` is a standard and widely understood term, but its usage has specific connotations.
  * **Formal Praise:** It is often used in writing, formal speeches, songs, and poetry. When spoken, it carries a weight of sincerity. You would use it to give a genuine, heartfelt compliment.
  * **Scenery and Art:** This is one of its most common uses. Describing lakes, mountains, forests, sunrises, or a piece of calligraphy as `美丽` is perfectly natural.
  * **People:** It's used to describe people, typically women, but implies more than just physical attractiveness. It suggests elegance, grace, and an overall pleasing presence. Calling a woman `美丽` is a deeper compliment than `漂亮 (piàoliang)`.
  * **Abstract Concepts:** You can describe memories, dreams, or life itself as `美丽`. For example, `美丽的梦想 (měilì de mèngxiǎng)` means "a beautiful dream."
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 这里的风景真是太**美丽**了！
    * Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng zhēnshi tài **měilì** le!
    * English: The scenery here is truly so beautiful!
    * Analysis: A classic and very common use of `美丽` to describe a landscape. The structure `太...了 (tài...le)` is used for emphasis.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 她不仅外表**美丽**，心灵更美。
    * Pinyin: Tā bùjǐn wàibiǎo **měilì**, xīnlíng gèng měi.
    * English: Not only is her appearance beautiful, but her soul is even more beautiful.
    * Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the cultural depth of `美丽`, connecting external appearance with inner virtue (`心灵`, soul/heart).
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 这是一首非常**美丽**的诗。
    * Pinyin: Zhè shì yī shǒu fēicháng **měilì** de shī.
    * English: This is a very beautiful poem.
    * Analysis: `美丽` is ideal for describing art forms like poetry, music, or painting that evoke a deep aesthetic feeling.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 每个女孩都希望有一个**美丽**的婚礼。
    * Pinyin: Měi ge nǚhái dōu xīwàng yǒu yī ge **měilì** de hūnlǐ.
    * English: Every girl hopes to have a beautiful wedding.
    * Analysis: Here, `美丽` describes an event, implying it should be elegant, memorable, and aesthetically pleasing.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 她的眼睛像**美丽**的星星。
    * Pinyin: Tā de yǎnjīng xiàng **měilì** de xīngxīng.
    * English: Her eyes are like beautiful stars.
    * Analysis: A slightly poetic or romantic use of the word. `像 (xiàng)` means "like" or "resembles."
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 我们要保护我们**美丽**的地球。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen yào bǎohù wǒmen **měilì** de dìqiú.
    * English: We must protect our beautiful Earth.
    * Analysis: Used in a formal or public service context, `美丽` elevates the subject (the Earth) and gives the sentence an emotional weight.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 这是一个关于爱与勇气的**美丽**故事。
    * Pinyin: Zhè shì yī ge guānyú ài yǔ yǒngqì de **měilì** gùshì.
    * English: This is a beautiful story about love and courage.
    * Analysis: Shows how `美丽` can describe an abstract concept like a story, referring to its emotional and moral quality.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 你觉得这幅画**美丽**吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ juéde zhè fú huà **měilì** ma?
    * English: Do you think this painting is beautiful?
    * Analysis: A simple question using `美丽`. `幅 (fú)` is the measure word for paintings.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * **美丽**的误会有时候也会有好的结果。
    * Pinyin: **Měilì** de wùhuì yǒu shíhòu yě huì yǒu hǎo de jiéguǒ.
    * English: A "beautiful" misunderstanding can sometimes also have a good outcome.
    * Analysis: A metaphorical use. "Beautiful misunderstanding" is an oxymoron that implies a mistake that led to something unexpectedly wonderful.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 桂林山水甲天下，真是名不虚传的**美丽**。
    * Pinyin: Guìlín shānshuǐ jiǎ tiānxià, zhēnshi míng bù xū chuán de **měilì**.
    * English: Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven; it is truly as beautiful as its reputation suggests.
    * Analysis: Using `美丽` to confirm a famous reputation. `名不虚传 (míng bù xū chuán)` is a chengyu (idiom) meaning "to live up to one's reputation."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common point of confusion for learners is choosing between `美丽 (měilì)`, `漂亮 (piàoliang)`, and `好看 (hǎokàn)`.
  * **`美丽 (měilì)`:** Deep, elegant, profound beauty. Best for scenery, art, and sincere compliments about a person's overall grace or soul. More formal and literary.
  * **`[[漂亮]] (piàoliang)`:** The most common word for "pretty" or "beautiful," especially for people (women), clothes, cars, or even a job well done (`干得漂亮!`). It's more focused on external appearance than `美丽`.
  * **`[[好看]] (hǎokàn)`:** Literally "good to look at." The most casual and versatile. Use it for people, movies, books, clothes, etc. It's the safe, everyday choice.
**Common Mistake Example:**
  * **Incorrect:** 这件T恤很**美丽**。 (Zhè jiàn T-xù hěn měilì.)
  * **Why it's awkward:** `美丽` is too grand and poetic for a simple T-shirt. It sounds overly dramatic, like calling a plain hamburger "exquisite cuisine."
  * **Correct:** 这件T恤很**好看**。 (Zhè jiàn T-xù hěn hǎokàn.) - //This T-shirt is nice-looking.//
  * **Also Correct:** 这件T恤很**漂亮**。 (Zhè jiàn T-xù hěn piàoliang.) - //This T-shirt is pretty.//
Essentially, don't use a powerful word like `美丽` for something mundane. Save it for things that truly inspire awe and a sense of deep, aesthetic pleasure.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[漂亮]] (piàoliang) - The most common synonym for "pretty" or "beautiful," often used for a person's physical appearance.
  * [[好看]] (hǎokàn) - A colloquial and versatile synonym meaning "good-looking" or "nice to watch/read."
  * [[优美]] (yōuměi) - More specific than `美丽`, meaning "graceful" or "exquisite." Often used for dance, music, posture, or a gentle landscape.
  * [[壮丽]] (zhuànglì) - Describes a beauty that is "magnificent," "majestic," or "grandiose," perfect for vast landscapes like the Grand Canyon or the ocean.
  * [[美貌]] (měimào) - A noun meaning "(a person's) beautiful looks" or "good looks." It refers specifically to facial beauty.
  * [[美德]] (měidé) - "Virtue" or "moral excellence." Shares the character `美`, linking the concept of "goodness" with "beauty."
  * [[丑陋]] (chǒulòu) - A formal antonym meaning "ugly," often with a moral connotation of being vile or shameful.
  * [[难看]] (nánkàn) - The direct antonym of `好看`, meaning "ugly" or "unpleasant to look at."