너무 예뻐
neomu yeppeo
The English phrase "so pretty" is translated into Korean as 너무 예뻐 (neomu yeppeo).
This phrase is used to describe someone or something that is very attractive or beautiful. While the word 너무 (neomu) originally meant "too much" in a negative sense, such as saying something is "too hot," in modern colloquial Korean it is commonly used as an intensifier for positive adjectives like "pretty."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 너무 (neomu), which means "too much" or "so/very" and 예뻐 (yeppeo), which means "is pretty."
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the politeness of the phrase by changing the ending. Adding 요 to the end of 너무 예뻐 makes it 너무 예뻐요 (polite), and using the form 너무 예쁩니다 makes it formal.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu yeppeo
Did you know?
- The root of 너무 comes from the verb 넘다, which means 'to pass over' or 'to surpass' a boundary or a mountain.
- In Korea, people often use a gesture called ' aegyo' when saying 너무 예뻐 to make the phrase sound cuter by elongating the final vowel.
- Using the formal version 너무 예쁩니다 when talking about a close friend would sound strangely robotic, as if you were reading a news report about their beauty.
Examples in context
- 아주 예쁘시네요!You are so pretty!
- 정말 아름답습니다!You are truly beautiful!
- 아름다우시네요!You are beautiful!
- 정말 예뻐!You are really pretty!
- 아름답다!Beautiful!
- 꽃이 너무 예뻐.kkoti neomu yeppeo.The flowers are so pretty.
- 이 옷 너무 예뻐!i ot neomu yeppeo!This clothing is so pretty!
- 풍경이 너무 예뻐요.punggyeongi neomu yeppeoyo.The scenery is so pretty.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Minjun are looking at a photo of a sunset.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준아, 노을이 너무 예뻐.Minjun-a, noeuri neomu yeppeo.Minjun, the sunset is so pretty.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 그렇네, 서연아.jeongmal geureonne, Seoyeon-a.It really is, Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon사진도 너무 예뻐.sajindo neomu yeppeo.The photo is so pretty too.
- 민준 Min-jun진짜 너무 예쁘다.jinjja neomu yeppeuda.It's truly so pretty.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
