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How to Say ‘You have a lovely smile.’ in French

Vous avez un joli sourire.

voo ah-veh uhn zhaw-lee soo-reer

[voo ah-veh uhn zhaw-lee soo-reer]

🇫🇷 In France: Commenting on a stranger's body or face, even their smile, can come across as flirting or unwelcome. Compliments on clothes or a dog are safer.

Phrase Breakdown

Vous avez

voo ah-veh

You have

Link 'vous' and 'avez' with a 'z' sound: 'voo-za-VAY'.

Example

Vous avez raison.

You are right.

Words in this phrase

Vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Vous aimez le film?

Do you like the movie?

avez

[ah-veh]

have

To possess something.

Example

Vous avez une voiture rouge.

You have a red car.

un joli sourire.

uhn zhaw-lee soo-reer

a lovely smile

Say 'uhn zho-lee soo-REER'. Put a slight stress on the last syllable.

Example

Quel joli sourire !

What a lovely smile!

Words in this phrase

[uhn]

a / an

An indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Un casque est important pour le roller.

A helmet is important for inline skating.

joli

[zhaw-lee]

pretty

Attractive in a delicate way.

Example

C'est une jolie robe.

That's a pretty dress.

sourire

[soo-reer]

smile

Expression of happiness on the face.

Example

Votre sourire est contagieux.

Your smile is contagious.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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