beautiful in korean
How to Say "Beautiful" in Korean (아름다워): Romantic & Poetic Uses
아름다워
areumdawo
Quick answer
Say 아름다워 (areumdawo) casually or 아름다워요 (areumdawoyo) politely — both mean beautiful in Korean, with a poetic, elevated tone.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 아름다워 | areumdawo | The everyday casual form — used with close friends, romantic partners, or when describing scenery and moving moments. Sounds heartfelt without being over-the-top. |
| polite | 아름다워요 | areumdawoyo | Polite form — warm and respectful for people you're not very close with or in mixed-age company. Safe for most social settings. |
| adjective (before noun) | 아름다운 | areumdaun | Used directly before a noun: 아름다운 경치 (areumdaun gyeongchi) = beautiful scenery; 아름다운 노래 (areumdaun norae) = a beautiful song. |
| really beautiful | 정말 아름다워 | jeongmal areumdawo | 정말 (jeongmal, truly/really) deepens the compliment — sounds sincere and genuine rather than hyperbolic. |
How it changes by relationship
넌 정말 아름다워.
Neon jeongmal areumdawo.
to a romantic partner: You're truly beautiful — carries real emotional weight. More poetic and sincere than 예뻐, which feels more casual and everyday.
이 야경이 너무 아름다워요.
I yagyeongi neomu areumdawoyo.
about scenery or a moment: The night view is so beautiful — 아름다워 is one of the most natural words for landscapes, sunsets, or emotional scenes.
정말 아름다우세요.
Jeongmal areumdauseyo.
to someone slightly older (polite compliment): Honorific form — the -세요 ending shows extra respect. Perfect for complimenting a parent, elder, or anyone whose status is above yours.
와, 아름답다!
Wa, areumdapda!
casual exclamation: Wow, beautiful! — the declarative (base) form dropped at the end of a thought, used as a spontaneous, unfiltered reaction to something stunning.
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 poetic, elevated quality that 예뻐 (yeppeo, pretty) does not — 예뻐 is the warm everyday compliment for cute outfits, nice photos, or a friend's new haircut. Dropping 아름다워 in those same situations sounds overly dramatic, like calling a cupcake 'exquisite.' Reserve 아름다워 for genuinely moving moments: scenery, music, or a heartfelt personal compliment. In K-dramas you'll notice leads confess feelings with 아름다워, not 예뻐.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "beautiful" here?
FAQ
What's the difference between 아름다워 and 예뻐?
예뻐 (yeppeo) is the warm, casual 'pretty' for everyday compliments — clothes, a photo, someone's smile. 아름다워 (areumdawo) feels more poetic and profound — used for scenery, a moving song, or a deep personal compliment.
How do you say beautiful in Korean formally?
아름다워요 (areumdawoyo) is polite; 아름답습니다 (areumdapseumnida) is the most formal written/speech form. In most daily situations 아름다워요 is enough.
Can I say 아름다워 to a person?
Yes — it's a genuine, sincere compliment. It carries slightly more emotional weight than 예뻐, so it can feel especially meaningful when said to someone you care about.
How do I say 'so beautiful' in Korean?
너무 아름다워 (neomu areumdawo) or 정말 아름다워 (jeongmal areumdawo). 너무 is more casual; 정말 sounds more heartfelt and sincere.
Is 아름다워 used in K-dramas?
Yes — it's one of the most iconic romantic lines. Male leads often say 넌 정말 아름다워 (neon jeongmal areumdawo, you're truly beautiful) in emotional confession scenes.
Can 아름다워 describe things other than people?
Absolutely — 아름다워 is very commonly used for scenery, music, art, and moving moments. It's not limited to physical appearance at all.