귀요미
gwiyomi
The English phrase "cutie" can be translated into Korean as 귀요미 (gwiyomi).
The term 귀요미 is used to describe someone or something cute lovingly. It is derived from 귀엽다.
Meaning: cute person or animal (noun)
Which one should you use?
You may also see 귀염둥이, which is a term used to describe someone who is adorable or cute. If you wish to be more literal and polite when referring to a cute person, you can use the phrase 귀여운 사람.
How do you pronounce it?
gwiyomi
Did you know?
- In the early 2010s, 귀요미 became a massive internet trend in South Korea through a specific 'Gwiyomi Song' dance that required people to make various cute facial expressions while singing.
- While it sounds affectionate, calling a boss or a teacher a 귀요미 is a social blunder. In a culture that prizes hierarchy, using such a playful term for a superior can come across as incredibly disrespectful or condescending.
- The word 귀요미 relies on a linguistic trick called 'vowel rounding' to sound more adorable. By shifting the vowel sound to be more rounded, the word itself physically mimics the 'cute' quality it describes.
Examples in context
- 너는 정말 귀엽다!You are really cute!
- 오늘 옷이 귀여운데?Your outfit is cute today, isn't it?
- 우리 강아지는 정말 귀요미예요.uri gang-a-ji-neun jeong-mal gwi-yo-mi-ye-yo.My puppy is a real cutie.
- 그 아이는 완전 귀요미네요!geu a-i-neun wan-jeon gwi-yo-mi-ne-yo!That child is such a cutie!
- 저 고양이는 진짜 귀요미예요.jeo go-yang-i-neun jin-jja gwi-yo-mi-ye-yo.That cat is a true cutie.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are watching a video of a kitten online.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 이 고양이 좀 보세요!Ji-hun ssi, i go-yang-i jom bo-se-yo!Jihun, look at this cat!
- 지훈 Ji-hun와, 정말 귀요미네요.Wa, jeong-mal gwi-yo-mi-ne-yo.Wow, it's a real cutie.
- 수빈 Su-bin너무 귀여워서 계속 보게 돼요.Neo-mu gwi-yeo-wo-seo gye-sok bo-ge dwae-yo.It's so cute that I keep watching it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨도 참 귀요미네요.Su-bin ssi-do cham gwi-yo-mi-ne-yo.Subin, you are a cutie too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 귀요미, CC BY-SA 4.0.
