A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "That color looks good on you" in Italian
Compliment someone on their outfit, letting them know a specific color looks great on them.
Quel colore ti sta bene.
kwel koh-LOH-reh tee stah BEH-nehcasual
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you see someone wearing a color that really suits them, perhaps at a party, on a date, or even just when meeting a friend for coffee. It's a direct and appreciated compliment.
Alternatives
- Ti sta molto bene quel colore.Slightly more emphatic, putting the compliment first.
- Mi piace molto quel colore su di te.Focuses more on your personal preference for the color on them.
Ways to get it wrong
Stare vs Essere
Use 'stare' for how something looks or fits, not 'essere' (to be).
Pronouncing 'ti'
Make sure to pronounce 'ti' as 'tee', not 'tie'.
A small cultural note
Italians often appreciate compliments on their appearance, especially regarding fashion and style. This phrase is a safe and effective way to show you've noticed.
Frequently asked
How to say that color looks good on you in Italian?
The most common way is 'Quel colore ti sta bene.' This directly translates to 'That color looks good on you.'
Is 'Quel colore ti sta bene' formal or informal?
It's informal, using 'ti' which is for people you know well. For someone you'd address formally, you'd need a different phrasing or context.
What if I want to say a specific item of clothing looks good?
You can adapt the phrase, for example, 'Questa camicia ti sta bene' (This shirt looks good on you).
