안녕 귀요미
annyeong gwiyomi
The English phrase "hey cutie" is translated into Korean as 안녕 귀요미 (annyeong gwiyomi).
This phrase is an informal and affectionate greeting used to address someone the speaker finds cute.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 안녕 (hi/bye) and 귀요미 (cutie).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
안녕 귀요미 is highly informal. It should only be used with people of the same age or younger, or in a very close romantic context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 귀요미 is a slangy, noun-form derivative of the adjective 귀엽다 (to be cute).
How do you pronounce it?
annyeong gwiyomi
Did you know?
- If you were to use 귀요미 toward a superior or an older person, it would not just be 'informal', it would be seen as an intentional, playful insult to their dignity.
- The word 귀요미 became a global phenomenon through the 'Gwiyomi Song', where people perform a choreographed set of finger gestures to mimic being cute.
- Because 안녕 can also mean 'peace', the literal roots of the phrase suggest a greeting of 'peaceful cutie', though this connection is lost in modern usage.
Examples in context
- 안녕, 귀엽네! 오늘 완전 예쁘다.Hey, you're cute! You look really pretty today.
- 안녕 귀요미, 잘 지냈어?annyeong gwiyomi, jal jinaesseo?Hey cutie, how have you been?
- 안녕 귀요미, 오늘도 예쁘네.annyeong gwiyomi, oneuldo yeppeune.Hey cutie, you look pretty today too.
- 안녕 귀요미, 뭐 하고 있어?annyeong gwiyomi, mwo hago isseo?Hey cutie, what are you doing?
Example conversation
Minji greets Jihoon playfully when they meet at a cafe.
- 민지 Min-ji안녕 귀요미, 기다렸어?annyeong gwiyomi, gidaryeosseo?Hey cutie, have you been waiting?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니, 방금 왔어.ani, banggeum wasseo.No, I just arrived.
- 민지 Min-ji다행이다, 지훈아.dahaengida, jihoon-a.That's a relief, Jihoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun너 오늘 정말 귀엽다.neo oneul jeongmal gwiyeopda.You are really cute today.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 귀요미, 안녕, CC BY-SA 4.0.
