매력
maeryeok[mɛɾjʌ̹k̚]
The English word "charm" is translated into Korean as 매력 (maeryeok).
매력 refers to the quality of inspiring delight or admiration. You can use several different forms to express various nuances: 매력있다 is used to describe someone or something as charming or attractive, while 매력이 넘치다 means to be full of charm. To express the presence or absence of this quality, you can say 매력이 있다 (literally "charm exists") to mean someone has charm or is charming or 매력이 없다 (literally "charm does not exist") to mean someone lacks charm or is not charming.
Meaning: quality of inspiring delight or admiration (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can transform the noun 매력 into the adjective 매력적이다 (to be charming) by adding the suffix –적, which indicates a characteristic, followed by the verb ending –이다.
Did you know?
- In Korean pop culture, the phrase 반전 매력 refers to a 'twist charm', where someone possesses an unexpected quality that contradicts their first impression.
- If you want to say someone is 'charmingly attractive' in a more casual or trendy way, you might hear the slang term 입덕 which describes the moment someone is 'captured' by a person's charm.
- The word 매력 is actually a combination of the characters for 'attraction' and 'spirit/soul'.
Examples in context
- 그는 정말 매력이 넘쳐요.geuneun jeongmal maeryeogi neomchyeoyo.He is full of charm.
- 이 도시의 매력은 무엇인가요?i dosiui maeryeogeun mueosingayo?What is the charm of this city?
- 그 배우는 독특한 매력이 있어요.geu baeuneun dokteukhan maeryeogi isseoyo.That actor has a unique charm.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a new person they met at a party.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨는 그 사람을 봤어요?jihun ssineun geu sarameul bwasseoyo?Jihoon, did you see that person?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 정말 매력적인 사람이에요.ne, jeongmal maeryeokjeogin saramieyo.Yes, he is a very charming person.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 매력이 정말 대단해요.majayo, maeryeogi jeongmal daedanhaeyo.Right, his charm is truly amazing.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨도 그렇게 생각하죠?jieun ssido geureoke saenggakhajyo?You think so too, Ji-eun, right?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 매력, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 매력, CC BY-SA 4.0.
