Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 아름답다 | areumdapda | [a̠ɾɯmda̠p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 예쁘다 | yeppeuda | [ˈje̞(ː)p͈ɯda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term beautiful can be expressed through several forms depending on whether you are describing a profound aesthetic or a more everyday prettiness.
Which one should you use?
아름답다 is used for more profound, aesthetic or grand beauty, such as scenery or nature. In contrast, 예쁘다 is used for more superficial or cute beauty and is more commonly used to describe people, objects or things that are 'pretty' or 'cute' in an everyday sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression 아름다워 is commonly used in South Korea.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using these words in different speech styles or sentence structures, they change as follows: To use 아름답다 as an adjective directly before a noun, it must change to the form 아름다운. To use 예쁘다 as an adjective directly before a noun, it must change to the form 예쁜. In the polite informal speech style, 아름답다 changes to 아름다워요 and 예쁘다 changes to 예뻐요.
How do you pronounce it?
areumdapda
Did you know?
- The word 예쁘다 underwent a massive semantic shift over centuries. It originally meant 'pitiful' or 'to be in a pitiable state' before evolving into its modern meaning of 'pretty'.
- The word 아름답다 is often used to describe an 'inner beauty' or a noble spirit, moving beyond simple visual appearance.
Examples in context
- 남한은 북한보다 훨씬 더 아름답다.South Korea is much more beautiful than North Korea.This sentence is useful for comparing the beauty of two countries using 아름답다.Tatoeba #6305109 by Queserasera, translation #3707688 by ddnktr
- 그 호수의 오래된 교회는 정말 아름답다.The old church by the lake is very beautiful.This sentence is useful for describing the beauty of a church using 아름답다.Tatoeba #11105907 by intertime, translation #239970 by CK
- 나는 아름답다.I'm beautiful.This sentence is useful for stating one's own beauty using 아름답다.Tatoeba #11106731 by intertime, translation #716120 by papabear
- 그림이 아름답습니다.The picture is beautiful.
- 너 정말 이뻐!You are really beautiful!
- 지금 일본의 풍경은 아름답습니다.The scenery in Japan right now is beautiful.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are looking at a sunset in a park.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저 노을이 정말 아름답다.jeo noeuri jeongmal areumdapda.That sunset is truly beautiful.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아, 정말 아름답다.maja, jeongmal areumdapda.Right, it is really beautiful.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연아, 너도 풍경이 아름답지?Seoyeon-a, neodo punggyeongi areumdapji?Seoyeon, don't you think the scenery is beautiful too?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 도현아, 정말 아름다워.eung, Dohyun-a, jeongmal areumdawa.Yes, Dohyun, it is so beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries 아름답다, 예쁘다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아름답다, 예쁘다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
