나 예뻐?
na yeppeo?
The English phrase 'am I pretty' is translated into Korean as 나 예뻐? (na yeppeo?)
This phrase is used to ask someone for their opinion regarding the speaker's physical attractiveness.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you need to ask in a formal way, you can use 예쁘다고 생각하십니까? or 제가 이쁘다고 생각하십니까? to mean 'Do you think I am pretty?'
How does it change in a sentence?
In natural Korean conversation, the subject 'I' (나) is often dropped if the context is already clear, so you can simply say 예뻐? (yeppeo?).
How do you pronounce it?
na yeppeo?
Did you know?
- The word 나 for 'I' may be cognate with the Old Japanese word na meaning 'I', suggesting an ancient linguistic link between the two languages.
- In Korea, it is common for a person to use 예뻐 to describe not just physical beauty, but also a person's kind or 'pretty' heart and behavior.
- The word 나 (na) is a plain, non-polite way to say 'I', so using it with a stranger or superior would be a social error.
Examples in context
- 정말 예뻐?Am I really pretty?
- 나 예뻐?na yeppeo?Am I pretty?
- 이 옷 입으니까 나 예뻐?i ot ibeunikka na yeppeo?Do I look pretty in these clothes?
- 화장하니까 나 예뻐?hwajanghanikka na yeppeo?Do I look pretty with this makeup?
Example conversation
Seoyeon is getting ready for a date and asks Jihun's opinion.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈아, 나 예뻐?Jihun-a, na yeppeo?Jihun, am I pretty?
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 정말 예뻐.eung, jeongmal yeppeo.Yes, you are really pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon진짜? 다행이다.jinjja? dahaengida.Really? That's a relief.
- 지훈 Ji-hun오늘 아주 잘 어울려.oneul aju jal eoullyeo.It looks great on you today.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 나, CC BY-SA 4.0.
