We’ve already seen how 好吃 (hǎochī) means that food tastes good. You can also add 好 (hǎo, good) before 看 (kàn, to look) to say that something looks good!
你的朋友很好看！
Nǐ de péngyǒu hén hǎokàn!
Your friend is good‑looking!
那双蓝色的鞋子不好看。
Nà shuāng lán sè de xiézi bù hǎokàn.
That pair of blue shoes does not look good.
Here are some measure words you can use to describe clothing.
| 件 jiàn clothing tops, like shirts and jackets |
两件衬衫 liǎng jiàn chènshān two shirts |
|---|---|
| 条 tiáo some long and soft objects, like pants and dresses |
那条裙子 nà tiáo qúnzi that dress |
| 双 shuāng some objects that come in pairs |
这双鞋子 zhè shuāng xiézi this pair of shoes |
To make a comparison, say 比 (bǐ, compare to) between the two things you’re trying to compare, and then add the adjective right after.
这件衬衫比那件衬衫贵。
Zhè jiàn chènshān bǐ nà jiàn chènshān guì.
This shirt is more expensive than that shirt.
你的裙子比我的漂亮。
Nǐ de qúnzi bǐ wǒ de piàoliang.
Your dress is prettier than mine.
他的鸟比我的鸟可爱。
Tā de niǎo bǐ wǒ de niǎo kě'ài.
His bird is cuter than my bird.
Sometimes a verb is repeated twice in a row (e.g., 我随便看看, wǒ suíbiàn kànkan) to show a brief, casual action.
我只是随便看看。
Wǒ zhǐshì suíbiàn kànkan.
I’m just looking.
(Literal: I’m looking however I like.)
她想试试这条裙子。
Tā xiǎng shìshi zhè tiáo qúnzi.
She (just) wants to try on this skirt.