Usage note
“优美”形容事物非常好看、优雅，让人感到舒服。
“Yōuměi” xíngróng shìwù fēicháng hǎokàn, yōuyǎ, ràng rén gǎndào shūfu.
“Graceful” describes something very beautiful and elegant, making people feel comfortable.
Context note
公园里的风景很优美，很多人去散步。
Gōngyuán lǐ de fēngjǐng hěn yōuměi, hěnduō rén qù sànbù.
The scenery in the park is very graceful; many people go for walks.
5 examples
她的舞姿很优美。
tā de wǔ zī hěn yōu měi。
Her dance posture is very graceful.
这首音乐旋律优美。
zhè shǒu yīn yuè xuán lǜ yōu měi。
This piece of music has a graceful melody.
优美的环境让人心情愉快。
yōu měi de huán jìng ràng rén xīn qíng yú kuài。
A graceful environment makes people happy.
她的字写得很优美。
tā de zì xiě dé hěn yōu měi。
Her handwriting is very graceful.
天鹅在湖上游动，姿态优美。
tiān é zài hú shàng yóu dòng， zī tài yōu měi。
Swans swim on the lake with graceful postures.
5 mini stories
小美在舞蹈比赛中表演优美。她赢得了掌声。
xiǎo měi zài wǔ dǎo bǐ sài zhōng biǎo yǎn yōu měi。 tā yíng dé le zhǎng shēng。
Xiao Mei performed gracefully in the dance competition. She won applause.
优美的歌声让大家都安静下来。小红唱得很好听。
yōu měi de gē shēng ràng dà jiā dōu ān jìng xià lái。 xiǎo hóng chàng dé hěn hǎo tīng。
The graceful singing made everyone quiet down. Xiao Hong sang very beautifully.
花园里的花朵优美绽放。小华喜欢在那里读书。
huā yuán lǐ de huā duǒ yōu měi zhàn fàng。 xiǎo huá xǐ huan zài nà lǐ dú shū。
The flowers in the garden bloom gracefully. Xiao Hua likes to read there.
优美的书法作品挂在墙上。小刚每天练习写字。
yōu měi de shū fǎ zuò pǐn guà zài qiáng shàng。 xiǎo gāng měi tiān liàn xí xiě zì。
Graceful calligraphy works hang on the wall. Xiao Gang practices writing every day.
小丽穿着优美的裙子跳舞。大家都觉得她很美。
xiǎo lì chuān zhe yōu měi de qún zǐ tiào wǔ。 dà jiā dōu jué de tā hěn měi。
Xiao Li danced in a graceful dress. Everyone thought she was beautiful.
Mini dialogue
优美的音乐
A
这首音乐很优美。
Zhè shǒu yīnyuè hěn yōuměi.
This piece of music is very graceful.
B
是啊，听起来很舒服。
Shì a, tīng qǐlái hěn shūfu.
Yes, it sounds very pleasant.
优美的舞蹈
A
她的舞蹈动作很优美。
Tā de wǔdǎo dòngzuò hěn yōuměi.
Her dance movements are very graceful.
B
对，像一只蝴蝶。
Duì, xiàng yī zhī húdié.
Yes, like a butterfly.
Related words and contrasts
similar
美丽
měi lì
beautiful
美丽 is more about visual beauty; 优美 often describes graceful movements or sounds.
similar
优雅
yōu yǎ
elegant
优雅 emphasizes elegance and refined manner.
opposite
难看
nán kàn
ugly
Opposite of graceful or beautiful.