Compliments

1. È meraviglioso!

   It's marvellous!

   Usage

   Express admiration for something marvellous — art, scenery, architecture, etc.

   Grammar Note

   "Meraviglioso" derives from "meraviglia" (marvel). Feminine: meravigliosa

2. Parla italiano benissimo

   You speak Italian very well

   Usage

   Compliment someone's Italian language ability

   Grammar Note

   Formal "Lei" uses third person "parla". "Benissimo" is the absolute superlative of bene

3. Che bella città!

   What a beautiful city!

   Usage

   Exclaim about a beautiful city or place

   Grammar Note

   "Che + adjective + noun" forms the exclamation. "Città" is feminine, so "bella"

4. Il pranzo era squisito

   The lunch was exquisite

   Usage

   Compliment a meal after finishing it

   Grammar Note

   "Era" is the imperfect of essere. "Pranzo" (lunch) is masculine, so "squisito"

5. Ha un ottimo gusto

   You have excellent taste

   Usage

   Compliment someone's sense of style or aesthetic choices

   Grammar Note

   "Ottimo" is the absolute superlative of buono. "Gusto" means both taste and style

6. Che lavoro straordinario!

   What extraordinary work!

   Usage

   Praise the work of an artisan, artist, or performer

   Grammar Note

   "Che + noun + adjective" forms exclamations. "Straordinario" = stra- (beyond) + ordinario (ordinary)

7. L'Italia è un paese magnifico

   Italy is a magnificent country

   Usage

   Express your admiration for Italy to a local — always warmly received

   Grammar Note

   "Magnifico" means magnificent/splendid. "Paese" (country/village) is masculine

8. Le sta molto bene

   It suits you very well

   Usage

   Compliment someone's outfit or style in a polite way

   Grammar Note

   "Le" is the dative of Lei. "Stare bene" = to look good/suit. "Le sta bene" = it looks good on you

9. Che vista spettacolare!

   What a spectacular view!

   Usage

   Express awe at a spectacular view or panorama

   Grammar Note

   "Spettacolare" is gender-invariable. "Vista" (view) is feminine

10. Ha fatto un lavoro eccellente

    You did an excellent job

    Usage

    Formally praise someone's quality of work or service

    Grammar Note

    "Ha fatto" is the Lei present perfect of fare. "Eccellente" is gender-invariable

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