Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 아름다움 | areumdaum | |
| 미 | mi | [mi(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
아름다움 represents the abstract concept of beauty and is often used to describe natural beauty or a beautiful soul. The Sino-Korean root 미 is often used in compound words or formal academic contexts. For example, it forms the adjective 미적 (aesthetic) and can be combined with the word for person to form 미인, meaning a beautiful person.
Which one should you use?
아름다움 is the standard, native Korean noun used to describe the abstract concept of beauty or the quality of being beautiful. In contrast, 미 is a Sino-Korean noun that is typically used in compound words or formal academic contexts rather than as a standalone noun in casual conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
areumdaum
When do people say it?
While not a direct translation of the word itself, the term 미용 is used to refer to the beauty industry as a whole, encompassing beauty products, services and procedures.
Did you know?
- The native root 아름답다 is believed by some linguists to be related to the word 알음 (knowledge), suggesting that beauty was historically linked to an understanding of harmony.
- In Korean, 미인 (beautiful person) is traditionally used more frequently to describe women, while beauty for men is often framed as 멋 (style or coolness).
- The sound 미 is a homonym in Korean, meaning it can refer to 'beauty' 美 or 'rice' 米 depending on the context.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 미적 감각이 전혀 없다.She has no sense of beauty.This sentence shows how 미 is used in the adjective form to describe a sense of beauty.Tatoeba #11106758 by intertime, translation #388446 by CK
- 그녀는 정말로 미인이다.She is a real beauty.This sentence uses 미 within the word for a beautiful person.Tatoeba #11105267 by intertime, translation #317049 by CK
- 자연의 아름다움에 감탄했어요.jayeonui areumdaume gamtanhaesseoyo.I marveled at the beauty of nature.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a landscape painting in an art gallery.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 그림 속 풍경의 아름다움이 놀라워요.i geurim sok punggyeongui areumdaumi nollawoyo.The beauty of the landscape in this painting is amazing.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 도현 씨의 말이 맞아요.majayo, dohyeon ssiui mari majayo.Right, you are right, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨는 이 색감이 마음에 드나요?subin ssineun i saekgami maeume deunayo?Do you like these colors, Subin?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 색채가 정말 조화로워요.ne, saekchaega jeongmal johwarwoyo.Yes, the colors are very harmonious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beauty” translations and entries 미, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 미, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
