Expressions to say you admire someone

[learningchayse]

Are there any expressions of admiration?

In my language context, I say things like gaze through someone with admiration or more colloquially, gaze with my mouth-watering, or something like that, which might sound weird to English natives.

So what would you say when you want to express your admiration for someone in English? Literary and colloquial are both okay.

P.S. "Admire" probably is not even the right word I am looking for. Perhaps "to mesmerize"?

Thank you.

[Querneus]

Really intense admiration and feelings, you mean?

I feel mesmerized by somebody.
I am fascinated by somebody. I find somebody fascinating.
I can't hold my feelings for somebody.
It's like I'm spellbound when I see somebody (or think of somebody).
I am enthralled by somebody. (literary)

An interesting question would be what differences exist between Chinese culture and the culture(s) of the United States and other English-speaking countries regarding when and to who it is appropriate to say such things...

[learningchayse]

Really intense admiration and feelings, you mean?

I feel mesmerized by somebody.
I am fascinated by somebody. I find somebody fascinating.
I can't hold my feelings for somebody.
It's like I'm spellbound when I see somebody (or think of somebody).
I am enthralled by somebody. (literary)
An interesting question would be what differences exist between Chinese culture and the culture(s) of the United States and other English-speaking countries regarding when and to who it is appropriate to say such things...

Really appreciate your examples!

And that is a good question! To whom and when would you say such things?
Personally, I would use these words to Elon Musk. lol.

[aokoye]

Given the context is you feeling admiration for someone like Elon Musk "I admire [name]." would be appropriate. I would use the first two lines that Ser suggested as well and perhaps "I am enthralled by somebody." as well.

[Axon]

In my opinion, an admirer of Elon Musk would say:

He's amazing. He's fascinating. He's inspiring.

We could add "incredibly" to any of these to make it stronger.

In a more wordy sense, one could also say:

He makes me want to be just like him (this is a little juvenile).
He has an amazing effect on other people.
He has ideas that nobody else does.
He's one of the most important people in science today.


Ser's choices of "spellbound," "mesmerized," and "enthralled" all sound good to me, but it sounds like you're describing someone who's very attractive to you. A dancer, maybe, or someone that you want to ask out on a date.

[zenmonkey]

More informal, colloquial:

"I want to be you when I grow up."
"She's the bee's knees" (or cat's meow, cat's pajamas, cat's pyjamas, cat's whiskers, dog's bollocks, the bomb, the business)
"He's the man!"

Depending on tone this, can be admiration or jokingly said (ironic).
There are also a bunch of vulgar ones, these should really be reserved to fluent speakers.

[learningchayse]

More informal, colloquial:

"I want to be you when I grow up."
"She's the bee's knees" (or cat's meow, cat's pajamas, cat's pyjamas, cat's whiskers, dog's bollocks, the bomb, the business)
"He's the man!"

Depending on tone this, can be admiration or jokingly said (ironic).
There are also a bunch of vulgar ones, these should really be reserved to fluent speakers.

Thanks for providing lots of slang! Really eye-opening.(How do I use eye-opening/eye-opener here?)
Two more questions:
1. What is the vibe when saying things like "She's the cat's meow." Sexually attracted or normal admiration? And are these expressions gender-free?
2. Just out of curiosity, what are some of the vulgar ones?

[learningchayse]

In my opinion, an admirer of Elon Musk would say:

He's amazing. He's fascinating. He's inspiring.

We could add "incredibly" to any of these to make it stronger.

In a more wordy sense, one could also say:

He makes me want to be just like him (this is a little juvenile).
He has an amazing effect on other people.
He has ideas that nobody else does.
He's one of the most important people in science today.


Ser's choices of "spellbound," "mesmerized," and "enthralled" all sound good to me, but it sounds like you're describing someone who's very attractive to you. A dancer, maybe, or someone that you want to ask out on a date.

So, yes! Since Elon Musk is the type of guy I want to go out on a date , I think I could say things like "I am mesmerized by his talent." Right?

[rdearman]

More informal, colloquial:

"I want to be you when I grow up."
"She's the bee's knees" (or cat's meow, cat's pajamas, cat's pyjamas, cat's whiskers, dog's bollocks, the bomb, the business)
"He's the man!"

Depending on tone this, can be admiration or jokingly said (ironic).
There are also a bunch of vulgar ones, these should really be reserved to fluent speakers.

Thanks for providing lots of slang! Really eye-opening.(How do I use eye-opening/eye-opener here?)
Two more questions:
1. What is the vibe when saying things like "She's the cat's meow." Sexually attracted or normal admiration? And are these expressions gender-free?
2. Just out of curiosity, what are some of the vulgar ones?

"She's the cat's meow." is a bit old-fashioned, and is normal not sexual admiration.

There was already a vulgar example. The dogs bollocks.

[learningchayse]

More informal, colloquial:

"I want to be you when I grow up."
"She's the bee's knees" (or cat's meow, cat's pajamas, cat's pyjamas, cat's whiskers, dog's bollocks, the bomb, the business)
"He's the man!"

Depending on tone this, can be admiration or jokingly said (ironic).
There are also a bunch of vulgar ones, these should really be reserved to fluent speakers.

Thanks for providing lots of slang! Really eye-opening.(How do I use eye-opening/eye-opener here?)
Two more questions:
1. What is the vibe when saying things like "She's the cat's meow." Sexually attracted or normal admiration? And are these expressions gender-free?
2. Just out of curiosity, what are some of the vulgar ones?

"She's the cat's meow." is a bit old-fashioned, and is normal not sexual admiration.

There was already a vulgar example. The dogs bollocks.

Thanks for the explanation!