예쁜
yeppeun[je̞p͈ɯn]attributive
The English phrase 'pretty' can be translated into Korean as 예쁜 (yeppeun) or 예쁘다.
Meaning: especially of women and children: pleasant, attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 예쁜 | yeppeun | [je̞p͈ɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | attributive |
| 예쁘다 | yeppeuda | [ˈje̞(ː)p͈ɯda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | predicative |
The term is used to describe someone or something as pleasant or attractive, especially in the case of women and children. To emphasize that something is very pretty, you can add 정말 before the word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 예쁜 is the attributive form, used when the adjective directly modifies a noun, such as 'pretty girl'. The form 예쁘다 is the dictionary form used as a predicate to say something 'is pretty'. In a conversation, the form 예뻐요 is the standard polite way to end a sentence to state that something is pretty.
How do you pronounce it?
yeppeun
Did you know?
- The modern word 예쁘다 has undergone a complete semantic reversal. While it now means 'pretty', its Middle Korean ancestor actually meant 'to be pitiful'.
- The word 예쁘다 is frequently used in the phrase 말이 예쁘다 to describe someone who speaks in a kind and polite manner.
- When describing a man as 예쁘다, it suggests a soft, feminine, or delicate kind of beauty rather than a masculine handsomeness.
Examples in context
- 그는 예쁜 여자와 결혼했다.He married a pretty girl.This sentence uses 예쁜 to describe a girl.Tatoeba #11105667 by intertime, translation #289596 by CK
- 톰은 아주 예쁜 아가씨와 결혼했다.Tom married a very pretty girl.This sentence uses 예쁜 to describe a lady.Tatoeba #11110727 by intertime, translation #5842821 by CK
- 파티에 입을 예쁜 걸 하나 사는 게 어때?Why don't you go buy yourself something pretty to wear to the party?This sentence uses 예쁜 to describe something to wear.Tatoeba #13755235 by qlTmalffk, translation #2210713 by CK
- 그 여성은 정말로 예쁩니다.That woman is really pretty.
- 이 그림은 정말 아름답습니다.This painting is truly beautiful.
- 오늘 너 정말 이쁘다!You look really pretty today!
- 너의 옷이 정말 예뻐요.Your outfit is really pretty.
- 이 꽃은 정말 아름답습니다.This flower is truly beautiful.
- 너의 미소가 정말 이쁘다.Your smile is really pretty.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are looking at a clothing website.
- 민지 Min-ji이 옷 정말 예쁜 것 같아.i ot jeongmal yeppeun geot gata.I think this clothing is really pretty.
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 색깔이 정말 예쁘다.eung, saekkkari jeongmal yeppeuda.Yeah, the color is really pretty.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨가 보기에는 어때?dohyeon ssiga bogieneun eottae?What do you think, Dohyun?
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨한테 아주 잘 어울려.minji ssihante aju jal eoullyeo.It suits you very well, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pretty” translations and entries 예쁜, 예쁘다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 예쁘다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
