잘생긴
jalsaenggin
In Korean, the phrase for "good looking" is 잘생긴 (jalsaenggin).
Used to describe a man who has an attractive face.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 잘 (well) and 생기다 (to be formed/to arise), literally meaning "to be well-formed".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form 잘생긴 is used to modify a noun, while the verb form 잘생겼다 is used to state that someone is good looking.
How do you pronounce it?
jalsaenggin
Did you know?
- In Korea, it is common to use 잘생겼다 in the past tense even when someone is currently handsome, because the 'forming' of the face happened in the past.
- In very informal or slang contexts, young people might use the word 꽃미남 ('flower boy') to describe men who are handsome in a delicate or pretty way.
- In many Korean social settings, if a younger person calls an older person 잘생겼다, it might be seen as overly blunt or lacking the necessary social deference.
Examples in context
- 이 사람은 정말로 아름답다This person is really beautiful.
- 얼굴이 정말 잘 생겼어요Your face is really good looking.
- 잘생긴 남자A good looking man
- 잘생긴 모델이에요.jal-saeng-gin mo-del-i-e-yo.He is a good looking model.
- 그 배우는 정말 잘생긴 것 같아요.geu bae-u-neun jeong-mal jal-saeng-gin geot gat-a-yo.That actor seems really good looking.
- 잘생긴 남자를 좋아해요.jal-saeng-gin nam-ja-reul jo-a-hae-yo.I like good looking men.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are looking at a photo of a celebrity.
- 민지 Min-ji이 사람 정말 잘생긴 것 같아요.i saram jeongmal jalsaenggin geot gatayo.I think this person is really good looking.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요. 정말 멋있어요.majayo. jeongmal meosisseoyo.You're right. He is really cool.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨도 잘생긴 편이에요.dohyeon ssido jalsaenggin pyeonieyo.Dohyun, you are also quite good looking.
- 도현 Do-hyeon갑자기 무슨 말씀이세요?gapjagi museun malsseumiseyo?What are you talking about all of a sudden?
