хөөрхөн
khöörkhön
The Mongolian word for pretty is хөөрхөн (khöörkhön).
The adjective хөөрхөн is used to describe something as pleasant or attractive. It is especially common when describing women and children.
Meaning: especially of women and children: pleasant, attractive (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
khöörkhön
Did you know?
- When complimenting a child, Mongolians may avoid excessive praise like хөөрхөн in certain traditional circles to avoid attracting bad luck or the 'evil eye'.
- Depending on the context and tone, хөөрхөн can be used sarcastically to describe someone acting 'precious' or overly dainty in an annoying way.
- Unlike English, where 'pretty' can be a degree of intensity (e.g., 'pretty good'), in Mongolian, хөөрхөн is strictly an adjective for attractiveness and cannot be used as an adverb.
Examples in context
- Энэ хөөрхөн охин хэн бэ?Who is that pretty girl?This sentence is useful for identifying a pretty girl using хөөрхөн.Tatoeba #9758061 by Alkrasnov, translation #68706 by CK
- Би хөөрхөн нохойтой.I have a pretty dog.This sentence is useful for describing a pretty dog using хөөрхөн.Tatoeba #9758126 by Alkrasnov, translation #253363 by CK
Example conversation
Tömör compliments Sarantuya on her new dress.
- Төмөр TumurСарантуя, чи энэ даашинзаараа хөөрхөн байна.Sarantuya, chi ene daashinzaaraa khöörkhön baina.Sarantuya, you are pretty in this dress.
- Сарантуя SarantuyaБаярлалаа, Төмөр.Bayarlalaa, Tömör.Thank you, Tömör.
- Төмөр TumurХаанаас авсан бэ?Khaanaas avsan be?Where did you get it from?
- Сарантуя SarantuyaБи үүнийг дэрээрээ хийсэн.Bi üüniig dereeree khiisen.I made it myself.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
