قشنگ

What it means

قشنگ (qashang) means “pretty,” “cute,” or “lovely.” Native Persian adjective, more informal and warmer than زیبا (zibâ) “beautiful.” It is the everyday word Iranians use to compliment something attractive.

How to use it

• چقدر قشنگ! (cheqadr qashang!) “How pretty!”
• این کفش قشنگ است (in kafsh qashang ast) “These shoes are pretty”
• صدای قشنگی دارد (sedâ-ye qashangi dârad) “She has a lovely voice”

Comparative and superlative

• قشنگ (qashang) “pretty”
• قشنگ‌تر (qashang-tar) “prettier”
• قشنگ‌ترین (qashang-tarin) “prettiest”

زیبا vs قشنگ

زیبا (zibâ) is more formal and elevated, used in writing, art, and formal speech. قشنگ is casual and warm, used in everyday compliments. Both are positive; the choice signals register.

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab