너무 귀여워
neomu gwiyeowo
In Korean, "too cute" is expressed as 너무 귀여워 (neomu gwiyeowo).
This phrase is used to describe someone or something that is extremely adorable. While the word 너무 originally carried a negative connotation of being "excessively" something in a problematic way, in modern colloquial Korean, it is commonly used as an intensifier for positive adjectives like "cute".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 너무, which means "too" or "so" and 귀여워, which means "is cute".
Which one should you use?
The phrase 완전 귀여워 can also be used to emphasize cuteness, using the word 완전 to mean "totally" or "completely".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for speaking to strangers or elders, add the suffix -요 to the end to get 너무 귀여워요. If you want to express that something "was" too cute in the past tense, use the informal past tense form 너무 귀여웠어.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu gwiyeowo
Did you know?
- When someone is so cute it is almost painful, Koreans use the expression 심쿵, which mimics the sound of a heart skipping a beat.
- In Korean culture, describing an adult or a person of higher status as 귀여워 can sometimes be seen as condescending rather than a compliment, as it implies a power imbalance.
- In digital communication, Koreans often shorten 귀여워 to just 귀요미 to turn the adjective into a noun meaning 'a cute person'.
Examples in context
- 내 강아지 정말 귀엽다!My dog is so cute!
- 네, 너무 귀여워서 어떡해!Yes, it's too cute, it's irresistible!
- 와, 완전 귀엽다!Wow, they're totally cute!
- 강아지가 너무 귀여워.gang-aji-ga neomu gwiyeoweo.The puppy is too cute.
- 이 인형은 너무 귀여워요.i inhyeong-eun neomu gwiyeowoyo.This doll is too cute.
- 아기가 너무 귀여워서 웃음이 나.agi-ga neomu gwiyeowoseo useumi na.The baby is too cute, so I smile.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are looking at photos of a kitten on a phone.
- 민준 Min-jun이 고양이 사진 진짜 너무 귀여워!i goyang-i sajin jinjja neomu gwiyeoweo!This kitten photo is really too cute!
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아, 정말 너무 귀여워.maja, jeongmal neomu gwiyeoweo.Right, it's truly too cute.
- 민준 Min-jun서연아, 너도 그렇게 생각하지?Seoyeon-a, neo-do geureoke saenggak-haji?Seoyeon, you think so too, right?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 민준아. 진짜 너무 귀여워.eung, Minjun-a. jinjja neomu gwiyeoweo.Yes, Minjun. It's really too cute.
