beautiful in korean
How to Say "Beautiful" in Korean (아름다워): Romantic & Poetic Uses
아름다워
areumdawo
Quick answer
The most natural way to say "beautiful" in Korean is 아름다워 (areumdawo) casually or 아름다워요 (areumdawoyo) politely.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 아름다워 | areumdawo | Beautiful — used with close friends, in romantic contexts, or describing scenery. |
| polite | 아름다워요 | areumdawoyo | Polite form — warm and safe with someone you're not super close to. |
| adjective (before noun) | 아름다운 | areumdaun | 아름다운 경치 (areumdaun gyeongchi) = beautiful scenery. |
| really beautiful | 정말 아름다워 | jeongmal areumdawo | 정말 (jeongmal, truly/really) deepens the compliment. |
How it changes by relationship
넌 정말 아름다워.
Neon jeongmal areumdawo.
to a romantic partner: You're truly beautiful — genuine and heartfelt, more poetic than 예뻐.
이 야경이 너무 아름다워요.
I yagyeongi neomu areumdawoyo.
about scenery or a moment: The night view is so beautiful — very natural for landscapes.
정말 아름다우세요.
Jeongmal areumdauseyo.
to someone slightly older (polite compliment): Honorific form — shows extra respect while giving a sincere compliment.
와, 아름답다!
Wa, areumdapda!
casual exclamation: Wow, beautiful! — the declarative form used as a spontaneous reaction.
Examples
이 곳이 정말 아름다워요.
I gosi jeongmal areumdawoyo.
This place is truly beautiful.
아름다운 목소리네요.
Areumdaun moksorineyo.
You have a beautiful voice.
오늘 밤 하늘이 아름다워.
Oneul bam haneuri areumdawo.
Tonight's sky is beautiful.
Usage note
아름다워 carries a more poetic or elevated quality than 예뻐 (yeppeo, pretty) — using 아름다워 for everyday cute things can feel overly dramatic, the same way saying 'gorgeous' instead of 'cute' might in English.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "beautiful" here?
FAQ
What's the difference between 아름다워 and 예뻐?
예뻐 (yeppeo) is everyday pretty — cute clothes, a nice photo. 아름다워 (areumdawo) feels more poetic and elevated — beautiful scenery, a moving moment, or a deep compliment.
Can I say 아름다워 to a person?
Yes — it's a genuine compliment. It carries a touch more gravity than 예뻐, so it can feel especially sincere.
How do I say 'so beautiful' or 'so gorgeous'?
너무 아름다워 (neomu areumdawo) or 정말 아름다워 (jeongmal areumdawo) — both work. 너무 is more casual; 정말 sounds more sincere.