What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 그녀는 귀여워요 consists of 그녀 (she), the topic marker 는 (is/as for) and 귀여워요 (is cute).
Which one should you use?
The phrase has several variations depending on the level of politeness. 그녀는 귀여워요 is the polite version, while 그녀는 귀엽습니다 is a formal way to say 'She is cute'. For casual settings, you can use the informal 그녀는 귀엽다 or the casual 그녀는 귀여워. If you want to say "So cute!", you can use 너무 귀여워.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 그녀는 귀여워요 is the polite version used in standard social situations. For very formal settings, use 그녀는 귀엽습니다. In casual or non-honorific situations, such as when speaking with friends or people younger than you, use the informal 그녀는 귀여워 or 그녀는 귀엽다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 귀여워요 is the polite present tense form of the dictionary form 귀엽다 (to be cute). To refer to males, replace 그녀는 with 그는.
How do you pronounce it?
geunyeoneun gwiyeowoyo
Did you know?
- The word 그녀 for 'she' was actually created by translators to match Western languages. Before this, Korean rarely used gendered pronouns in speech.
- If you are describing a baby or a pet, you might use a more exaggerated, 'cute' version of the word by adding a consonant to the end, such as 귀엽탱 or using a more playful tone. This mimics the 'aegyo' culture of acting cute.
- In certain social contexts, calling a woman 귀엽다 can sometimes be seen as slightly patronizing or 'diminishing' if said to a superior. It implies a level of fondness that might not be appropriate in a strict professional hierarchy.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Seo-yeon are looking at a photo of a baby.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 아기 좀 보세요.i agi jom boseyo.Look at this baby.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 사랑스럽네요.jeongmal sarangseureopneyo.She is really lovely.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그녀는 귀여워요.geunyeoneun gwiyeowoyo.She is cute.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 정말 귀엽네요.majayo, jeongmal gwiyeopneyo.That's true, she's very cute.
