걔 진짜 귀엽다
gyae jinjja gwiyeopda
In Korean, "he is so cute" is said as 걔 진짜 귀엽다 (gyae jinjja gwiyeopda).
This phrase is used to describe a male person or a male animal as being adorable or charming. While the word 진짜 literally means "really" or "truly", in this specific context it functions as the intensifier "so" as it is used in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into 걔 (he/that guy), 진짜 (really/truly) and 귀엽다 (to be cute).
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking about someone who is older or in a higher social position, you must use an honorific form instead of the word 걔. For example, you would say 그분 정말 귀여우세요.
How do you pronounce it?
gyae jinjja gwiyeopda
Did you know?
- While 걔 is a common way to say 'he' or 'that guy' among friends, it is actually a contraction of 그 애, which literally translates to 'that child'.
- In Korean, calling a romantic partner or a male friend 귀엽다 can imply a protective affection or a 'younger' energy, regardless of their actual age.
- The word 귀엽다 likely evolved from a combination of a root meaning 'to love' and a suffix meaning 'to have'.
Examples in context
- 걔 진짜 귀엽다.gyae jin-jja gwi-yeop-da.He is so cute.
- 동생이? 걔 진짜 귀엽다.dong-saeng-i? gyae jin-jja gwi-yeop-da.Your younger brother? He is so cute.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are looking at a video of a puppy on a phone.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈아, 이 강아지 좀 봐.ji-hun-a, i gang-a-ji jom bwa.Jihun, look at this puppy.
- 지훈 Ji-hun와, 걔 진짜 귀엽다!wa, gyae jin-jja gwi-yeop-da!Wow, he is so cute!
- 수빈 Su-bin그치? 정말 사랑스러워.geu-chi? jeong-mal sa-rang-seu-reo-wo.Right? He is really lovely.
- 지훈 Ji-hun계속 보고 싶어.gye-sok bo-go sip-eo.I want to keep watching him.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 걔, 귀엽다, 진짜, CC BY-SA 4.0.
