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.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 예뻐 | yeppeo | Default form with friends, younger people, or partners. |
| polite | 예뻐요 | yeppeoyo | Add -요 for politeness with people you're not close with. |
| adjective (before noun) | 예쁜 | yeppeun | Goes before a noun: 예쁜 꽃 (yeppeun kkot) = a pretty flower. |
| really pretty | 진짜 예뻐 | jinjja yeppeo | 진짜 (jinjja) adds genuine emphasis, common in compliments. |
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.
너 진짜 예쁘다.
Neo jinjja yeppeuda.
to a romantic partner: 예쁘다 as a statement sounds heartfelt and sincere from a partner.
오늘 정말 예뻐요.
Oneul jeongmal yeppeoyo.
to someone older / polite: Safe and genuinely warm for seniors or acquaintances.
경치가 예뻐요.
Gyeongchiga yeppeoyo.
about a place or thing: 예뻐 / 예뻐요 works for scenery, objects, and clothes too.
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
In Korean, 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) is specifically a visual/aesthetic compliment — it's slightly narrower than the English 'pretty,' which can also describe a voice or style. For overall beauty including charisma, Koreans often use 아름다워 (areumdawo) instead.
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 girl or a nice dress. 아름다워 (areumdawo) sounds more poetic, more like 'beautiful,' and is less common in daily conversation.
Can I say 예뻐 to a male?
It sounds a bit feminine as a compliment to a man. For guys, 잘생겼다 (jalsaenggyeotda, 'handsome') is more natural.
How do I say 'you're so pretty'?
너무 예뻐 (neomu yeppeo) or 정말 예뻐 (jeongmal yeppeo) — both are common and genuine.