귀여운 소년
gwiyeoun sonyeon
The Korean phrase for "cute boy" is 귀여운 소년 (gwiyeoun sonyeon).
The phrase refers to a young male child who is attractive or endearing in a sweet way. While 귀여운 소년 is a literal translation, in natural conversation, Koreans are much more likely to use the word 애 (child) or 아이 (child) instead of 소년 (boy) to describe a cute young male.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 귀여운 is the adjective form of 귀엽다, which means "to be cute".
Which one should you use?
귀여운 소년 is a literal translation of "cute boy". In informal settings, you might encounter 귀여운 남자애, which is an affectionate and playful way to acknowledge someone's cuteness used between friends and peers. Additionally, 예쁜 남자애 can be used to mean "pretty boy" to describe boys who are cute in an informal way.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the adjective 귀여운 (cute) is in its modifying form to describe the noun 소년 (boy).
How do you pronounce it?
gwiyeoun sonyeon
Did you know?
- In a social hierarchy, a person might call someone older than them 귀엽다 as a playful way to tease them or show affection, which is usually taboo in formal Korean.
- In modern Korean pop culture, the term 꽃미남 (flower boy) is used for men who have a 'cute' or 'pretty' aesthetic, blending masculinity with delicate beauty.
- The word 소년 contains the character for 'few', making the literal meaning 'few years'.
Examples in context
- 귀여운 소년이 그림을 그리고 있어요.gwiyeoun sonyeoni geurimeul geurigo isseoyo.A cute boy is drawing a picture.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Su-bin are looking at a photo of a relative.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이 사진 속의 아이는 누구예요?i sajin sogui aineun nuguyeyo?Who is the child in this photo?
- 수빈 Su-bin제 조카예요. 정말 귀여운 소년이죠?je jokayeyo. jeongmal gwiyeoun sonyeonijyo?It's my nephew. He's a really cute boy, right?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 정말 사랑스럽네요.ne, jeongmal sarangseureopneyo.Yes, he is truly lovely.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요. 성격도 아주 착해요.majayo. seonggyeokdo aju chakhaeyo.That's true. He has a very kind personality too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 소년, CC BY-SA 4.0.
