못생긴 여자
The phrase "ugly girl" in Korean is 못생긴 여자.
In some informal contexts, one might instead use the phrase 보통 이상의 외모는 아니야 to suggest that someone's appearance is plain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 못생긴 modifies the noun 여자 by appearing directly before it.
Did you know?
- The adjective 못생기다 is actually a combination of the adverb 못 meaning 'cannot' and the verb 생기다 meaning 'to appear' or 'to be formed'.
- Korean has a specific word 추녀 for an 'ugly woman' which mirrors the term 미녀 for a 'beautiful woman'. This pair creates a stark linguistic contrast that is more formal than using the adjective 못생긴.
- Depending on the intonation, saying 못생겼다 (the verb form) can be used as a playful tease between couples or very close friends, where it functions as a flirtatious joke.
Examples in context
- 그 영화에는 못생긴 여자가 나와요.geu yeonghwaneun motseonggin yeojaga nawayo.An ugly girl appears in that movie.
- 그는 못생긴 여자를 싫어해요.geuneun motseonggin yeojareul sireohaeyo.He dislikes ugly girls.
- 못생긴 여자가 그림 속에 있어요.motseonggin yeojaga geul soge isseoyo.An ugly girl is in the painting.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are discussing a cartoon character.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그 만화에 못생긴 여자가 등장해.geu manhwae motseonggin yeojaga deungjanghae.An ugly girl appears in that cartoon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈아, 너무 그렇게 말하지 마.jihoon-a, neomu geureoke malhaji ma.Jihoon, don't speak so harshly.
- 지훈 Ji-hun사실을 말하는 것뿐이야.sasireul malhaneun geotppuniya.I am just stating the facts.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래도 예의를 지켜야지.geuraedo yeuireul jikyeoyaji.Still, you should be polite.
