Which one should you use?
The form 그녀는 아름답다 is primarily used in written text, such as in novels or poetry. For casual speech, you might use 그녀는 아름다워 or the even more casual compliment 그녀는 예뻐.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 그녀는 아름답다 is primarily used in written text, such as novels or poetry, rather than in natural spoken conversation. For formal situations, you can use 그녀는 아름답습니다. For polite spoken Korean, use 그녀는 아름다워요. In informal or casual settings, use 그녀는 아름다워 or 그녀는 예뻐.
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on the level of politeness required, the verb can change: 그녀는 아름다워요 is the polite form, while 그녀는 아름다워 is the informal/casual form.
How do you pronounce it?
geunyeoneun areumdapda
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often over-use the word 그녀 (she) in spoken Korean. Instead, native speakers typically use the person's name or omit the subject entirely.
Did you know?
- The word 그녀 (she) was not originally part of the Korean language but was created during the translation of Western literature to match European pronouns.
- One theory suggests 아름답다 may have originated from a Middle Korean word meaning 'privateness' or 'non-publicness'.
- In spoken Korean, it is more common to use a person's name or a title like 'unnie' or 'noona' instead of 그녀 to avoid sounding cold or distant.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 아름답다.She is beautiful.This example shows how to use the phrase 그녀는 아름답다.Tatoeba #8400602 by baehyunsol, translation #410244 by CK
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are looking at a painting of a woman.
- 민준 Min-jun이 그림 속의 여자를 봐.i geurim sogui yeojareul bwa.Look at the woman in this painting.
- 민지 Min-ji와, 정말 그녀는 아름답다.wa, jeongmal geunyeoneun areumdapda.Wow, she is truly beautiful.
- 민준 Min-jun분위기가 정말 우아하지?bunwigiga jeongmal uahaji?The atmosphere is really elegant, right?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 정말 매력적이야.eung, jeongmal maeryeokjeogiya.Yes, she is really charming.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아름답다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
