pretty in korean
How to Say "Pretty" in Korean (예뻐): Casual, Polite & Context
예뻐
yeppeo
Quick answer
The most natural way to say 'pretty' in Korean is 예뻐 (yeppeo) casually or 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo) politely — both are warm, everyday compliments.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 예뻐 | yeppeo | Default form with friends, younger people, or romantic partners — direct and genuine. Saying 예뻐 in the right moment lands as a natural, heartfelt compliment. |
| polite | 예뻐요 | yeppeoyo | Add -요 for politeness — suitable for people you're not yet close with, acquaintances, or seniors you want to compliment warmly without overstepping. |
| adjective (before noun) | 예쁜 | yeppeun | The attributive form, used before nouns: 예쁜 꽃 (yeppeun kkot, a pretty flower), 예쁜 옷 (yeppeun ot, a pretty outfit). The verb 예쁘다 changes form depending on grammatical position. |
| really pretty | 진짜 예뻐 | jinjja yeppeo | 진짜 (jinjja, really/genuinely) adds natural emphasis — common in sincere compliments between friends. Sounds more credible than 너무 in some contexts because it implies you mean it. |
How it changes by relationship
야, 오늘 진짜 예뻐!
Ya, oneul jinjja yeppeo!
to a close friend: 야 is a casual attention-getter among friends. 오늘 (today) makes it specific and more believable as a compliment — anchoring it to the present moment.
너 진짜 예쁘다.
Neo jinjja yeppeuda.
to a romantic partner: 예쁘다 as a standalone declarative statement sounds heartfelt and sincere — like you just noticed and had to say something. Very K-drama.
오늘 정말 예뻐요.
Oneul jeongmal yeppeoyo.
to someone older / polite: Safe and genuinely warm for seniors or acquaintances. 정말 (jeongmal, really/truly) sounds more sincere than 너무 in a polite context.
경치가 예뻐요.
Gyeongchiga yeppeoyo.
about a place or thing: 예뻐 / 예뻐요 works for scenery, objects, clothes, and even food plating — it's a versatile visual compliment not limited to people.
Examples
언니 오늘 너무 예뻐!
Eonni oneul neomu yeppeo!
Eonni, you look so pretty today!
예쁜 옷 어디서 샀어?
Yeppeun ot eodiseo sasseo?
Where did you buy that pretty outfit?
이 꽃이 정말 예뻐요.
I kkochi jeongmal yeppeoyo.
These flowers are really pretty.
Usage note
예쁘다 (yeppeuda) is specifically a visual and aesthetic compliment — it describes how something looks. It's slightly narrower than English 'pretty,' which can also cover a voice, personality, or abstract quality. For deeper, more poetic beauty — the kind that moves you — Koreans use 아름다워 (areumdawo, beautiful), which carries more emotional weight and isn't used in everyday small talk. A key cultural note: Koreans compliment appearance very directly and frequently — saying 예뻐요 to someone you just met is a warm gesture, not a come-on.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "pretty" here?
FAQ
What's the difference between 예뻐 and 아름다워?
예뻐 is everyday pretty — like a cute outfit or a nice face. 아름다워 (areumdawo, beautiful) sounds more poetic and profound, typically used for scenery, art, or someone whose beauty is emotionally striking. It's less common in daily conversation.
Can I say 예뻐 to a male?
It sounds a bit feminizing as a compliment for a man. For guys, 잘생겼다 (jalsaenggyeotda, handsome) is the natural choice. Calling a man 예뻐 isn't offensive but can sound playful or teasing.
How do I say 'you're so pretty' in Korean?
너무 예뻐 (neomu yeppeo) or 정말 예뻐 (jeongmal yeppeo) — both are common. 진짜 예뻐 (jinjja yeppeo) sounds the most genuinely spontaneous.
How do I say a baby or child is cute and pretty?
예쁘다 and 귀엽다 (gwiyeopda, cute) are both used for children. 귀여워 (gwiyeowo) is more playful and childlike, while 예뻐 focuses on visual appearance.
Is there a formal way to say pretty?
예쁘십니다 (yeppeusimnida) technically exists but is rarely used — it sounds oddly clinical. In formal settings, Koreans often express the compliment as a full sentence: 정말 아름다우세요 (you are truly beautiful).
Can 예쁘다 describe non-visual things like a voice or a person's character?
Rarely for a voice — Koreans more often use 좋다 (good) for that. For character, 착하다 (chakada, kind/good-hearted) or 예쁜 마음 (yeppeun maeum, a pretty heart) is the poetic option.