Comparing “měilì” and “yōuměi”
美丽 vs 优美
Comparison section · original #16 · level order #109
How it works
Both 美丽 (měilì) and 优美 (yōuměi) can be translated as “beautiful,” but they are used differently.
美丽 (měilì) often describes visual beauty, especially people, scenery, or appearance.
优美 (yōuměi) often describes beauty in a more refined or elegant sense, such as language, music, posture, or environment.
Example sentences
这座城市虽然不大，但风景十分美丽。
Although this city is not big, its scenery is very beautiful.
她的字写得非常优美，一看就知道练过很多年。
Her handwriting is very elegant; you can tell at a glance that she has practiced for many years.
这篇文章语言很优美，但它所描写的自然景色本身也十分美丽。
The language of this article is very elegant, and the natural scenery it describes is also very beautiful.
Key point
优美 (yōuměi) often sounds more refined, artistic, and literary than 美丽 (měilì).