우아한
uahan
The English word 'elegant' is translated into Korean as 우아한 (uahan).
우아한 is used to describe someone who possesses sophistication, grace and refinement in both their appearance and their behavior.
Meaning: exhibiting elegance (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of this adjective is the verb-like form 우아하다, meaning 'to be elegant'. When you want to modify a noun directly, you use the form 우아한, such as in the phrase 우아한 동작 (elegant movement). To describe an action being done in an elegant manner, you can change the ending to create the adverbial form 우아하게, which means 'elegantly'.
How do you pronounce it?
uahan
Did you know?
- While 우아한 describes grace, the concept of 'elegant' in traditional Korean aesthetics is often linked to 여백의 미, or the 'beauty of empty space'. This means elegance is defined by what is left out rather than what is added.
- The word 우아 (elegance) is composed of two Hanja characters meaning 'refined' and 'elegant'. Because it originates from Classical Chinese, it carries a timeless, scholarly weight that sounds more sophisticated than native Korean adjectives.
- Korean has a specific distinction between 우아함 (elegance) and 화려함 (splendor). While an English speaker might call a gold-covered room 'elegant', a Korean speaker would call it 화려한 and reserve 우아한 for understated simplicity.
Examples in context
- 그 의상은 정말로 우아해 보여요.That outfit looks really elegant.
- 그녀는 항상 세련되게 옷을 입어요.She always dresses elegantly.
- 그렇게 남자가 멋있다니 정말 부러워.I envy how stylish that guy is.
- 그녀는 항상 우아해 보여서 좋아.I like her because she always looks elegant.
- 이 드레스는 정말 우아한 디자인이에요.i deusureseun jeongmal uahan dijainieyo.This dress has a truly elegant design.
Example conversation
Ji-hun and Ji-eun are at an art gallery looking at a painting.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 그림은 정말 우아한 느낌을 주네요.i geurimeun jeongmal uahan neukkimul juneyo.This painting gives a truly elegant feeling.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 지훈 씨의 안목이 높네요.majayo, ji-hun ssiyu anmogi nopneyo.That's right, Ji-hun, you have great taste.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨는 어떤 스타일을 좋아해요?ji-eun ssineun eotteon seutaireul joahaeyo?Ji-eun, what kind of style do you like?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 이런 우아한 스타일이 좋아요.jeoneun ireon uahan seutairi joayo.I like this kind of elegant style.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elegant” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
